Lawsuits claim that ARC airbag inflators can explode and shoot metal shrapnel at a driver or passenger’s face, neck, and body, causing severe injuries or death.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting ARC Airbag Inflator induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by metal shrapnel from an ARC airbag explosion, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
NHTSA Moves to Force Recall of ARC Airbag Inflators
In September 2023, the U.S. government made a big move toward forcing ARC Automotive to recall millions of airbag inflators. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), airbag inflators made by ARC Automotive are defective because they can explode metal shrapnel.
ARC Automotive is a Tennessee-based company that was acquired in 2016 by Chinese real estate developer Yinyi Group. The company has refused to issue a recall, insisting that any problem is linked to isolated manufacturing problems.
The potential recall would involve 11 million airbag inflators made by Delphi Automotive, and 41 million airbag inflators made by ARC Automotive, between 2000 and 2018.
These inflators were installed in cars that were sold by 12 different auto-makers, including:
- BMW
- Stellantis / Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA)
- Ford
- General Motors (GM)
- Hyundai
- Kia
- Maserati
- Mercedes-Benz
- Porsche
- Tesla
- Toyota
- Volkswagen (VW)
Safety Officials Demand Recall of 67 Million ARC Airbag Inflators
In May 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sent a letter rdering ARC Automotive of Knoxville, Tennessee, to recall 67 million airbag inflators due to a risk of severe injuries or death.
How Many People Were Injured?
At least 2 people have been killed and 7 others were injured in the U.S. and Canada when they were hit by metal shrapnel that blew out of an ARC airbag inflator, according to the NHTSA.
ARC Airbag Explosion Linked to Tragic Death of Mom in Michigan
One of the deaths occurred in Michigan in August 2021. The victim was a mother with 10 children who died after a minor crash while driving a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse SUV. She was hit in the neck by metal fragments that blew out of her ARC airbag, according to police.
ARC Refuses to Recall 67 Million Airbag Inflators
For now, ARC Automotive has refused to issue a recall, setting up a legal battle with the government.
ARC said it “strongly disagrees” with the NHTSA. The company insists that the inflators are not defective, any any problems are linked to isolated manufacturing problems.
What Causes ARC Airbags to Explode?
The NHTSA argues that welding debris from the manufacturing process can block an “exit orifice” for gas that is supposed to fill the airbag. When the hole is blocked, pressure can build up inside the inflator and cause it to explode and shoot out metal fragments.
According to Stephen Ridella, director of the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation:
“Air bag inflators that project metal fragments into vehicle occupants, rather than properly inflating the attached air bag, create an unreasonable risk of death and injury.”
Some Auto-Makers Recall Vehicles With ARC Airbags
Even though ARC Automotive insists that their airbag inflators are not defective, multiple auto-makers have already issued recalls for thousands of vehicles to replace the inflators. These automakers include BMW, General Motors (GM), Ford, and Volkswagen.
What is the Risk?
- Bleeding to death
- Fatal injuries after minor collisions or fender-benders
- Lacerations on the face, neck, chest or body
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Blindness or vision loss<l/i>
- Brain injuries
- Injuries resembling knife attacks or gunshots
- Death
ARC Airbag Class Action Lawsuit
Class action lawsuits have already been filed against ARC Automotive by unhappy car owners who say around 30 million vehicles have lost resale value due to the defective airbag inflators. These class actions are seeking damages, plus a replacement airbag inflator or buyback program.
In December 2022, these lawsuits were centralized in a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia – Case MDL No. 3051 – In RE: ARC AIRBAG INFLATORS
PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION.
Do I have an ARC Airbag Inflator Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting ARC Airbag Inflator induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured by metal shrapnel from an ARC airbag explosion, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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