After a Hyundai driver was killed by an ARC airbag inflator that exploded and shot out metal in a low-speed crash, U.S. safety officials are warning that 52 million airbags could be defective.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Hyundai airbag induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured or killed when a Hyundai airbag exploded or failed to deploy, 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.
Hyundai Driver Dies in Minor Crash When ARC Airbag Explodes
In July 2016, the driver of a 2009 Hyundai Elantra died when they were hit by sharp metal that blew out of an ARC airbag that ruptured after a minor, low-speed crash.
The tragic incident occurred in Canada, making it the first-known fatality linked to ARC airbags. “The incident was a low-speed collision, which was expected to be survivable,” safety officials told CBC News.
Safety Officials Demand Recalls for 52 Million ARC Airbag Inflators
In September 2023, U.S. safety officials moved to force a recall for 52 million airbag inflators manufactured by ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive Systems between the year 2000 and January 2018. These airbag inflators were used in cars from Hyundai and 11 other auto-makers in the U.S.
Why Are ARC Airbags Defective?
ARC and Delphi airbag inflators are defective because a manufacturing defect can cause them to rupture and explode, shooting out jagged pieces of metal into the passenger compartment, according to the conclusions of an 8-year safety investigation by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
How Many People Have Died?
Two deaths have been linked to the problem, including one in Canada and another in the U.S., as well as 7 people who suffered serious injuries when they were hit by metal in the face, neck, chest or body.
Manufacturing Problem Linked to ARC Airbag Explosions
The manufacturing problem linked to ARC airbag explosions is due to the friction welding process, according to NHTSA investigators. This welding process sometimes produces excess metal debris called “weld slag” that gets left behind inside the metal inflator canister.
If the debris is large enough, it can plug up a hole in the metal inflator canister that is supposed to allow gases to escape and fill up the airbag. When the gases have nowhere to go, the canister pressurizes and explodes, shooting out metal that can injure or kill people. The metal also rips apart the airbag, causing it to fail to inflate properly.
ARC Fixes Manufacturing Problem in January 2018
In January 2018, ARC Automotive updated their manufacturing process to detect excess “weld slag” in the inflators. No injuries or deaths have been linked to ARC inflators that were made since then.
List of Hyundai Vehicles With ARC Airbags
Hyundai has not provided a list of vehicles with defective ARC airbags in the U.S., but Transport Canada is investigating the following Hyundai vehicles:
- Hyundai Azera 2007-2011
- Hyundai Elantra 2006-2016
- Hyundai Elantra Touring 2007-2012
- Hyundai Elantra GT 2012-2016
- Hyundai Equus 2009-2012
- Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2010-2015
- Hyundai Sonata 2005-2010
- Hyundai Tiburon 2002-2008
- Hyundai Tucson 2004-2010
- Hyundai XG350 2002-2005
These vehicles may contain dangerous driver-side frontal airbag inflators that were manufactured by ARC or Delphi Automotive, according to safety officials in Canada.
Do I have a Hyundai Airbag Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Hyundai airbag induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured or killed when a Hyundai airbag exploded or failed to deploy, 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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