After the driver of a Kia was seriously injured when an ARC airbag exploded and shot out metal shrapnel, U.S. safety officials are warning that 52 million airbag inflators may be defective.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Kia airbag induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured or a loved one died when a Kia 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.
U.S. Safety Officials Issue Warnings for 52 Million Airbag Inflators
About 52 million airbag inflators used by Kia and 11 other auto-makers are being called “defective” by U.S. safety officials, based on reports of people who were severely injured or killed by sharp pieces of metal shrapnel that exploded out of the airbag inflator when it deployed.
These defective airbag inflators, made by ARC Automotive Inc. and licensed by another company called Delphi Automotive, “could explode, hurl shrapnel and injure or kill people,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
How Many People Have Been Injured or Killed?
Two deaths and 7 injuries in the U.S. and Canada have been linked to metal that blew out of an airbag inflator made by ARC Automotive or Delphi Automotive between 2000 and January 2018, according to the NHTSA.
Kia Driver Severely Injured When ARC Airbag Explodes
On April 8, 2014, the driver of a 2004 Kia Optima in New Mexico was seriously injured when they were hit in the face and legs by metal that blew out of an airbag inflator that was made by ARC and Delphi.
According to NHTSA investigators, the incident involved a driver-side ARC airbag inflator. The air bag module was manufactured by Delphi Automotive and had a single-stage ARC inflator. The inflator was manufactured in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Transport Canada Investigates ARC Airbags in Kia Vehicles
Kia has not provided a list of vehicles in the U.S. that have ARC airbag inflators, but Transport Canada is investigating ARC airbags in the following Kia vehicles:
- Kia Amanti 2006-2009
- Kia Forte 2014-2016
- Kia Magentis 2001-2006
- Kia Rio 2009-2011
- Kia Rondo 2007-2012
- Kia Sedona 2006-2014
- Kia Sportage 2005-2016
Why Are ARC Airbags Exploding?
Safety officials believe that ARC airbag inflators are defective due to a manufacturing issue. The problem is linked to the friction welding process, which can produce extra metal debris called “weld slag” inside the metal canister that houses the airbag inflator.
If there is enough “weld slag” in the airbag inflator, it can plug up a hole that is designed to allow gases to exit the inflator and fill up the airbag — but instead of filling up the airbag, the gases are trapped, so they pressurize the canister and blow it apart.
This poses life-threatening safety risks to people inside the vehicle. The metal from a ruptured inflator canister can hit people and cause severe injuries. The metal also rips open the airbag, preventing it from inflating, which also poses a life-threatening safety hazard for people.
Safety Risks of an Exploding Airbags
Airbags are designed with a metal canister called an “inflator,” which contains chemicals that ignite and rapidly produce gases that fill up the airbag. When the inflator canister ruptures, it can shoot out jagged pieces of metal through the airbag and directly into a driver’s face.
Drivers and also passengers may be hit by metal suffer serious injuries or death. These injuries may resemble gunshots or knife wounds. People can easily bleed to death if they are hit in the face, neck, chest, or body. Tragically, it is not uncommon for airbag inflators to rupture after low-speed crashes that should have been survivable.
Types of Injuries Linked to Airbag Ruptures
- Bleeding to death
- Face and neck wounds
- Metal injuries that look like gunshots or stab-wounds
- Blindness or eye injuries
- Face injuries and scarring
- Brain bleeding
- Head hits steering wheel or other parts of vehicle
- Chest wounds
- Lacerations
- Death
Do I have a Kia Airbag Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Kia airbag induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured or a loved one died when a Kia 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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