Automakers resist massive airbag recall amidst safety concerns

Car manufacturers, such as General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co., are resisting pressure from U.S. regulators to carry out a massive recall of up to 52 million airbag inflators.

ARC airbags are used in vehicles from GM, Ford, Stellantis NV, Tesla Inc, Volkswagen AG, Hyundai Motor Co, BMW, Kia Corp, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Porsche, and Toyota Motor Corp.

Automakers argue in letters to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that there is no conclusive evidence of defects in ARC’s components, despite reports of some inflators manufactured by ARC Automotive Inc. exploding, causing injuries and even deaths in accidents.

In May, the agency reported seven cases of airbag ruptures causing injuries, including two deaths, from 2009 to March of the previous year. Regulators suspect that welding during the manufacture of ARC inflators may have left residues in the components. During an accident, the ignition’s gas is expected to fill the bag, but if the channel is obstructed, excessive pressure could build up, potentially releasing metal fragments.

The NHTSA has urged a broad recall, estimating it could cost up to $10 billion for automakers. Despite objections from ARC and other manufacturers, the NHTSA is proceeding with steps toward a unilateral decision, with the possibility of a mandatory action after the final review, although ARC could challenge the decision in court.