U.S. auto safety regulators have decided to further investigate nearly 50 million air bag inflators after the auto industry raised concerns about the potential defects. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had previously stated that the inflators made by ARC Automotive Inc. were defective and dangerous, posing a risk of exploding and causing harm to drivers and passengers.
The agency's initial decision in July to seek a recall of all affected inflators has now been reconsidered. The auto industry highlighted technical and engineering differences among the inflators installed in vehicles from various manufacturers. Additionally, manufacturing-process variations at different plants that produced the ARC inflators were brought to the agency's attention.
In response to these comments, NHTSA has acknowledged the need for further investigation to determine the appropriate scope of any potential recall. The agency plans to send information request letters to ARC, vehicle manufacturers, and air bag-module manufacturing companies in the coming weeks.
While the agency has been investigating ARC since 2015 following incidents of inflator ruptures, it has not definitively established a systemic design defect. NHTSA reported that several ARC inflators have ruptured in the field, showing evidence of insufficient welds or excessive pressure in the canister meant to deploy the airbags during a crash.
Despite the risks associated with the ARC inflators, NHTSA noted that the majority of them may not rupture upon deployment. However, based on past ruptures linked to the welding process, all inflators are considered at risk. The agency emphasized that the federal motor vehicle safety act mandates addressing such defects to ensure public safety.
One tragic incident involving an ARC inflator resulted in the death of a 40-year-old mother of 10 from Michigan. The woman was struck by metal fragments when her SUV was involved in a minor crash. The investigation into the ARC inflators continues, with NHTSA planning to evaluate responses from stakeholders before making a final decision on the matter.
