They've been studying the problem for eight years
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is notoriously slow to act. How slow? Well, it's been studying 50 million airbags in 13 kinds of cars for eight years with no decision.
Now it says it needs more time to study the situation.
Key Points
- Background: The inflators, made by ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive, are linked to one fatality and seven injuries.
- Next Steps: NHTSA is gathering more technical and manufacturing information to assess the risks.
- Automakers Opposition: Major manufacturers like GM, Toyota, and Volkswagen oppose a recall, arguing the risk is minimal.
The affected inflators were used in vehicles made from 2000 to 2018. NHTSA first called for a voluntary recall in May 2023, but manufacturers have resisted. Further action will depend on the ongoing investigation.
Automakers resist pressure
In August, NHTSA tried to step up thepressure on an airbag inflater manufacturer to issue a recall, saying tens of millions of Americans are at risk.
NHTSA is confirming its initial decision that certain frontal driver and passenger air bag inflators manufactured by ARC Automotive Inc. and Delphi Automotive Systems LLC,and vehicles in which those inflators were installed, contain a defect related to motor vehicleSafety, the regulator said in asupplemental initial decision.
NHTSA is issuing this supplemental initial decision to address in greater detail the basis for the agencys initial decision and to ensure that all vehicles and manufacturers that would be impacted by any recall order are included within the scope of the initial decision.
Previously, NHTSA pushed for ARC Automotive to recall the airbags, which ARC declined to do. NHTSA then said it would reopen the case and retake comments for 30 days before deciding whether to pursue a recall.
NHTSA says the ARC inflators use phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate as a propellant that has been known to result in explosions and send small pieces of metal into occupants.
The inflators have reportedly been used in vehicles from 2000 to 2218, in makes such as Ford, BMW, GM, Kia, Hyundai, Chrysler, Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and Tesla.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2024-12-19 22:05:30
