Volkswagen (VW) Airbag Lawsuit

Volkswagen (VW) and other auto-makers used defective ARC airbag inflators that can rupture and explode, shooting out deadly pieces of metal.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Volkswagen (VW) airbag induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was injured or died when an 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.

Safety Officials Seek Recall for 52 Million Vehicles With ARC Airbags

The U.S. government is seeking to force a Tennessee-based company to recall about 52 million airbag inflators. These inflators may explode and eject jagged metal directly into a driver or passenger’s face, neck, chest, or body, resulting in severe bleeding or death.

Did Volkswagen Use ARC Airbag Inflators?

Yes. ARC airbag inflators were installed in 52 million vehicles produced by Volkswagen (VW) and 11 other auto-makers, but there is not yet a complete list of vehicle makes and models because only limited recalls have been issued so far.

When Were The Defective Airbags Manufactured?

ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive Systems produced the defective airbag inflators between the year 2000 and January 2018, according to the NHTSA.

What is the Problem?

A manufacturing problem may have left behind debris inside the airbag inflator, according to U.S. government safety officials. This debris, if it is big enough, can plug up a hole that is supposed to allow gases to escape from the airbag inflator’s metal canister to fill up the airbag. The trapped gases can pressurize the metal canister and blow it apart, ejecting metal shrapnel that causes severe injury or death.

Two Deaths, 7 Injuries Linked to ARC Airbag Explosions

ARC airbag inflators that exploded and shot out metal have caused at least 2 deaths and 7 injuries since 2009, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In some cases, the airbag inflator exploded after a minor low-speed collision.

ARC Airbag Explodes in 2015 Volkswagen Golf

On October 16, 2017, a passenger-side airbag inflator ruptured in a 2015 Volkswagen Golf in Turkey, but the driver was not injured. The air bag module used a single stage ARC inflator that was manufactured in Knoxville, Tennessee.

1,200 VW and Audis Recalled for ARC Airbag Explosion Risk

In July 2022, VW recalled about 1,200 vehicles to replace passenger-side ARC airbag inflators that could explode and shoot out metal.

The recall was prompted by a report from a dealership that an airbag inflator ruptured in a 2016 A3 e-Tron during a crash. In response, VW recalled all ARC airbag inflators from the same batch.

The VW ARC airbag recall involves the following vehicles:

2016 VW Golf Sportwagen
2016 VW Golf R
2016 VW Golf GTI
2016 VW Golf A7
2016 VW E Golf

VW also recalled the following Audi vehicles:

2016 Audi TT Roadster
2016 Audi TT Coupe
2016 Audi S3 Sedan
2016 Audi R8 Coupe
2016 Audi A3 Sedan
2016 Audi A3 Etron
2016 Audi A3 Cabriolet

What is the Risk?

According to the VW airbag recall notice:

“During air bag deployment, the front passenger air bag may explode or deploy improperly. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. An improper air bag deployment may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing their risk of injury in a crash.”

The VW recall number is 69DY, and the Audi recall number is 61C1.

Do I have a Volkswagen (VW) Airbag Lawsuit?

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