The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 13th (local time) that US auto safety regulators have requested a recall of 67 million vehicles, the largest in history, due to defects related to airbag inflators.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a letter released on the same day that it had tentatively concluded that the airbag inflator (inflator) made by Tennessee-based ARC Automotive had a safety-related defect and should be recalled. There is a problem with the way the metal inflator is welded, which causes too much pressure inside the airbag and can cause it to burst, he said.
These parts were supplied to at least 12 automakers, including General Motors (GM), Volkswagen and Hyundai Motors. The date goes back to 2001 and the number of vehicles is 67 million.
NHTSA asked ARC to recall all inflators manufactured by January 2018. However, ARC said in a statement that “we disagree with NHTSA’s request” and that “extensive field testing has not found any inherent flaws.”
NHTSA, however, believes the flaw has been linked to accidents in the United States and Canada that have left two dead and six injured. NHTSA has been investigating ARC’s airbag inflators for eight years, and this time it recommended a large-scale recall, but so far only seven limited recalls of about 6400 units.
This recall is similar to the 2014 Takata airbag recall in Japan. At the time, more than 70 million airbags used in 46 million vehicles, the largest in U.S. history, became a problem. At the time, these airbags were used by 19 automakers. Several Takata executives faced criminal charges and Takata went bankrupt.
At NHTSA’s request, GM recalled about 1 million SUVs that used ARC airbags on the 12th.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.