U.S. Auto Safety Regulators Pause Push for Massive Airbag Recall, Continue Investigation

U.S. auto safety regulators have decided to halt efforts for a large-scale recall of nearly 50 million airbag inflators, opting for further investigation after the auto industry raised concerns about the potential defects. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had initially determined that inflators manufactured by ARC Automotive Inc. were defective and posed a danger of exploding, sending shrapnel into drivers and passengers. This decision affected about 49 million vehicles from 13 manufacturers and was linked to at least two deaths and seven injuries.

However, after receiving technical and engineering feedback from the industry, NHTSA has acknowledged the need for further scrutiny. Manufacturers pointed out variations in the inflators and their production processes across different plants, prompting the agency to investigate these issues before moving forward with a recall.

NHTSA’s investigation into ARC began in 2015 after multiple incidents of inflators rupturing in vehicles, including a 2004 Kia and a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country minivan, both of which caused injuries. Although the agency’s July decision noted that the majority of inflators would not fail, it also highlighted the risk posed by a common defect tied to a specific welding process used in production.

In response to public comments from automakers, NHTSA now plans to send further information requests to ARC, vehicle manufacturers, and airbag module companies. The agency emphasized that it would evaluate the gathered data before making a final decision, with a potential opportunity for public comment before proceeding with any recall action.