ARC Airbag Lawsuit: Exploding Airbags

During the second week of the month, ARC Automotive’s refusal to comply with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) ARC airbag recall has been met with contention in the U.S. media. Many argue that the denial disregards the safety of possible millions of consumers.

In its letter to ARC, which was published on the NHTSA site on Friday, February 14–coming two years after an investigation into seven incidents, including two deaths–the agency requested that the company solve the issue with its air bag inflators, which “project metal fragments into vehicle occupants,” and “create[s] an unreasonable risk of death and injury.” NHTSA advised that up to 67 million defective ARC airbag inflators be recalled, which would account for the majority of the 284 million vehicles in operation in the U.S. ARC has since refused to comply with the recall request, denying the presence of any defects in the devices, and attributing the reports of injury and deaths to manufacturing problems. It is estimated that this denial on ARC’s part leaves about 30 million motorists unaware of the risk posed to them.

Since last month, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have decided against pursuing a major recall of almost 50 million air bag inflators. Following questions raised by the auto industry regarding whether or not all of the inflators are defective, it will now opt to investigate further. The pivot marks a contrast from the agency’s earlier stance, in July 2024, that all of the inflators manufactured by Tennessee-based ARC Automotive Inc. is defective, with inflators in nearly 49 million vehicles from 13 manufacturers posing a risk of explosion and shrapnel injury to occupants.

In a document dated December 13, 2024, and posted in the Federal Register on the 18th, the company said it considered comments from the earlier July decision, which raised questions about technical and engineering variations at the plants manufacturing the ARC inflators, as well as differences in how they might perform in various vehicles.

At last count, the ARC airbag MDL (No. 3051) totaled 24 pending cases, which are being overseen by U.S. District Judge Eleanor L. Ross. While no significant news or updates have been announced this month, lawyers across the nation continue to accept new lawsuits related to ARC’s defective automotive airbags.

At this time, no significant news or developments have surfaced in the ARC Airbag lawsuit. A final decision with regard to a potential recall of the affected airbag inflators remains pending as the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) continues to review information.

October 2, 2024

NHTSA (National Highway Safety Administration) granted an extension to the deadline for manufacturers and other stakeholders to submit written responses regarding the agency’s Supplemental Initial Decision, initially published in the Federal Register on August 5, 2024. Originally set for October 4, 2024, the submission deadline has now been moved to October 11, 2024. This extension provides additional time for all parties to present their insights and ensure thorough feedback on the matter.

The Supplemental Initial Decision concerns a safety defect in certain frontal driver and passenger air bag inflators produced by ARC Automotive Inc. and Delphi Automotive Systems LLC, as well as in the vehicles in which the devices were placed.

September 10, 2024

U.S. regulators have taken significant steps toward potentially recalling up to 51 million airbag inflators deemed defective, raising safety concerns that have long affected the auto industry. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a “supplemental initial decision” declaring the parts defective, identifying Knoxville-based ARC Automotive Inc. and the former Delphi Automotive Systems LLC as manufacturers. Despite prior recommendations for a recall, ARC has resisted taking action.

NHTSA is allowing an additional 30 days for public comment on this matter. Various car manufacturers, including General Motors, Stellantis, Volkswagen, and Hyundai, have used these inflators. GM recalled nearly 1 million vehicles equipped with ARC inflators in May 2023. The NHTSA reported at least nine incidents of ruptured inflators resulting in injuries, including two fatalities. This situation resembles the historic Takata airbag recall, which involved over 100 million defective inflators, posing a substantial challenge for the industry and car owners.

August 1, 2024

As of right now, there have been no significant updates and/or new information released since the previous month.

July 31, 2024 

U.S. auto safety regulators have reaffirmed that over 50 million air bag inflators pose significant dangers and must be recalled. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced this decision on Wednesday, July 31, targeting inflators produced by ARC Automotive Inc. and another manufacturer. Despite opposition from automakers, this ruling affects approximately 49 million vehicles from 13 different manufacturers. These inflators have the potential to explode and project shrapnel towards drivers and passengers.

NHTSA has linked these defective inflators to at least seven injuries and two fatalities in the United States and Canada since 2009. In the U.S. alone, seven inflators have ruptured, displaying signs of inadequate welds or excessive pressure within the canister intended to control the explosion and deploy the air bags during collisions.

February 1st, 2024:

Following the update on January 4th, 2023, there are no subsequent developments to report regarding the resistance from major car manufacturers to a potential recall of around 52 million airbag inflators produced by ARC Automotive Inc.

January 4th, 2023:

Major car manufacturers, including General Motors and Ford, are resisting a potential recall of around 52 million airbag inflators produced by ARC Automotive Inc. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called for the recall, citing reports of some ARC inflators exploding in crashes, causing injuries and fatalities. Carmakers argue there is insufficient evidence to deem the parts defective and dispute the scope of the proposed recall, which could cost up to $10 billion.

Despite objections, NHTSA is proceeding with the recall process, with a final decision expected this year. ARC, whose airbags are used by various automakers, rejects the need for a massive recall, prompting speculation of a potential $10 billion replacement cost.

December 4th, 2023:

A new recall involving Takata airbags has been issued. This recall affects a small number of BMWs, fewer than 500 cars, with the same type of airbag inflator found in 30 million vehicles. The airbags contain a desiccant to prevent humidity damage, and concerns about explosive risks have also been raised about 50 million air bag inflators from ARC.

While over 67 million faulty Takata airbags have been recalled, an additional 30 million in 200 vehicle models from various manufacturers are under investigation since 2021.

November 6th, 2023:

The NHTSA recently recommended a recall of over 50 million airbag inflators from ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive due to potential deadly explosions. These inflators were used in vehicles produced from 2000 to early 2018 by 12 automakers.

The hearing sought public input on the inflators’ safety risk. While the likelihood of rupture is low, the consequences are severe. This issue is linked to one U.S. fatality and seven injuries. Delphi and ARC manufactured these inflators, and an ARC executive argued against a recall.

NHTSA has been investigating airbag inflator ruptures for over 15 years, with the Takata recall being the largest auto safety recall in history, linked to more than 30 deaths worldwide.

October 2nd, 2023:

The NHTSA continues to make progress in its efforts to ensure the safety of consumers by pushing ARC Automotive Inc. to recall a staggering 52 million airbag inflators, which have been identified as having serious defects.

Victims affected by the defective ARC Automotive Inc. airbag inflators can seek legal assistance and information by contacting TruLaw today. 

September 6th,, 2023: 

The NHTSA has taken a substantial step toward compelling ARC Automotive Inc. to recall 52 million airbag inflators deemed defective.

The agency believes these inflators, which can potentially explode and eject shrapnel, have caused at least seven injuries and two deaths in the U.S. and Canada since 2009. Although a recall was previously requested in May, ARC has refused, prompting the NHTSA to schedule a public hearing on October 5, a necessary step before pursuing a court-ordered recall.

August 1st, 2023

ARC maintains resistance to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall demand issued in May. Citing their internal investigations, the company maintains that no recurring issues related to the accidents have been found, and extensive product testing showed no instances of failure.

Individuals concerned about the possibility of ARC airbag inflators in their vehicles are advised to reach out to their vehicle manufacturers or dealerships to verify if their vehicle is subject to a recall.

July 1st, 2023:

ARC Automotive Inc., a manufacturer of airbag inflators, is facing a substantial product liability class action in Tennessee Eastern District Court.

The lawsuit consists of two extensive volumes totaling over 800 pages and claims that ARC produced millions of faulty inflators currently installed in vehicles, posing a significant threat of severe injury or fatality.

The case aims to secure an order mandating Arc to notify all class members about the defect, arrange for repairs of affected vehicles, and seek substantial monetary damages.

June 1st, 2023:

ARC is continuing to push back against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s demanded a recall last month.

The company stated that their internal investigations revealed no recurring issues related to the accidents, and extensive testing of their product showed no instances of failure.

Drivers who have concerns about their vehicles potentially having the ARC airbag inflators are advised to contact their vehicle manufacturers or dealerships to verify if their vehicle is affected by a recall.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now demanding that ARC Automotive recall its inflators in the U.S. due to the potential of exploding and hurling shrapnel.

This is after at least two people have died and seven others have been hurt as a result of the ARC airbags.

ARC has responded by saying that its airbags have no defects and the issues are related to manufacturing.

The NHTSA may now schedule a hearing and could take ARC to court to forcibly make the recall.

Lawyers are still accepting cases related to ARC Airbag lawsuits.

Consumers are expressing concerns over the safety of ARC Airbags after they’ve exploded in vehicles instead of deploying normally.

You may be entitled to compensation if you or someone you know has been the victim of an ARC Airbag related incident.

Cases related to the ARC Airbag lawsuit are still ongoing.

There are no settlements that have been made, but our lawyers are still taking on cases.

If you believe that you or someone you know may be entitled to compensation due to a defect in the ARC automotive airbag, contact our lawyers for a free consultation.