US moves to recall 52M dangerous air bag inflators.
U.S. Government Takes Action to Protect Consumers
DETROIT—In a bold move, the U.S. government is taking decisive steps to ensure the safety of millions of Americans. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has made an initial decision that 52 million air bag inflators produced by ARC Automotive Inc. are defective and pose a serious risk to public safety.
The NHTSA has scheduled a public hearing for October 5th to address this issue and determine whether a court-ordered recall is necessary. This comes after ARC Automotive Inc. refused to issue a full-scale recall despite the agency’s request in May.
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ARC’s refusal to comply with the recall request has raised concerns, and the NHTSA is determined to protect the public from potential harm. The agency has stated that these air bag inflators can rupture during deployment, causing metal debris to be forcefully ejected into the vehicle, posing an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death to occupants.
The NHTSA is urging ARC to recall the inflators in driver and passenger front air bags from multiple automakers. While the full list of affected vehicle models has not been released, it is estimated that at least 25 million vehicles on U.S. roads may contain these dangerous inflators.
Owners of vehicles from various brands, including Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Ford, Toyota, Stellantis, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Porsche, Hyundai, and Kia, are anxiously waiting to find out if their vehicles are equipped with the defective inflators.
Although ARC is resisting a full-scale recall, automakers have already conducted several smaller recalls since 2017 due to isolated manufacturing problems. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the automakers to address these issues.
The NHTSA initially estimated that 67 million inflators should be recalled, but after further investigation, the number was revised to 52 million. The agency discovered that welding byproducts during manufacturing can clog a vent inside the inflator canister, leading to dangerous pressure buildup and potential explosions.
It’s important to note that the inflators in question were manufactured before 2018 when ARC implemented measures to monitor welding byproducts and improve venting. No explosions have been reported in inflators produced after these improvements were made.
ARC, which was acquired by Chinese real estate developer Yinyi Group in 2016, has expressed uncertainty about the potential for future ruptures in their inflators. However, the NHTSA is committed to ensuring the highest level of safety for all consumers.
While occasional failures may occur despite industry standards and efforts to minimize risks, the federal motor vehicle safety act prioritizes the well-being of the public and empowers the government to take action when necessary.
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