GM is among a group of major automakers that oppose a safety recall proposed by the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) potentially affecting 52 million airbag inflators. The NHTSA claims that the affected airbag inflators may contain a defect wherein the airbag canister could rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin in a crash, potentially injuring or killing occupants. The defect is linked to at least one fatality and seven injuries in the U.S. following an eight-year government investigation. If the recall is allowed to proceed, it would be the second-largest recall in U.S. history.
Per a report from Reuters, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Stellantis joined GM in opposing the airbag inflator recall, as did airbag manufacturers ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive. Recall opponents argued that the risks tied to the potential issue were extremely low, questioning the agency’s analysis. ARC estimated that less than one new rupture would occur in the next 33 years.
The airbag inflators indicated by the potential recall were produced between 2000 and early 2018, and are installed in vehicles across 12 different makes, including GM, Ford, Stellantis, BMW, Kia, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz, to name just a few. It’s estimated that at least 20 million General Motors vehicles could be affected, while more than 4.9 million Stellantis vehicles could be affected, with Stellantis reporting one rupture in 2009.
Delphi Automotive, part of Autoliv, produced roughly 11 million units of the airbag inflators in question under a licensing agreement with ARC, while ARC manufactured 41 million units. Autoliv argues that the NHTSA has yet to prove that the inflators are defective, while ARC challenged the evidence that there was systemic defect.
Back in October, NHTSA enforcement official Cem Hatipoglu acknowledged that while the odds of a rupture were indeed low, the consequences of such a defect were “severe and potentially deadly.”
This past spring, GM voluntarily recalled several vehicles across its various brands in an effort to address the potentially defective inflators, with 995,000 units of the Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Buick Enclave recalled in the U.S.
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Comments
Build them to last instead of building them get through the 3-year/36,000 mile warranty…. and you wouldn’t have a problem.
I don’t feel sorry for the manufacturers. They reap what the sow, barring paid-off politicians/officials somewhere in the review process letting them get away with it.
You do realize none of these automakers manufactured the part in question, correct? And that some of the vehicles involved are 23 years old?
Check your owner’s manual…. emissions and safety warranties often last far beyond the b to b warranty, often up to 10years; and they can also vary by state! Question is…How long should “they” or “someone” warranty an airbag acuator?? YIKES!
Wow.
Way to care about your customers GM, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Stellantis
No worries.
I’m sure Mary Barra has new vehicles with working air bags for her family.
Who really cares about the rest of us?
wah wah wah grab a tissue.