Sticking to its guns despite auto industry protests, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that it still considers that 51 million airbags need to be recalled because of the risk of rupturing during deployment and sending dangerous shrapnel into the vehicle’s interior.
The 51-million count now given by the NHTSA appears to be a revised number, since its original statements refer to the need to recall 52 million vehicles instead but Reuters is now reporting the slightly lower number.
The initial hearing regarding the airbags was held in October 2023, when the NHTSA proffered its 52-million figure. The airbags in question were manufactured between 2000 and 2018 by two third-party suppliers selling the components to 12 different automakers, ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive. ARC Automotive declined to start a voluntary recall at that time despite the NHTSA’s call for it to do so.
In total, two deaths and seven injuries have resulted to date from the alleged airbag defect. GM, Stellantis, Toyota, and Volkswagen joined the manufacturers, ARC and Delphi, in arguing against the recall on the grounds of the extreme rarity of the malfunction. The two airbag manufacturers also argued there is insufficient evidence that the airbags are actually defective.
Out of the 51 million allegedly defective airbags, about 40 percent, or 20 million, were installed in GM vehicles. The General responded to the issue by stating that “the reason for these inflator ruptures remains unknown” and said it would conduct its own internal investigation into the matter.
The NHTSA’s latest statement reveals that it is unconvinced by the arguments of the airbag manufacturers and the automakers alike. It says that it allowed a lengthy comment period since last October’s hearing and that after receiving feedback it still considers the 51 million airbags to be dangerously defective.
The latest statement triggers a 30-day comment period on the airbag situation. After this, the NHTSA may well move forward with a forced recall of the affected vehicles rather than relying on the companies themselves to initiate voluntary recalls.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more General Motors recall news, General Motors safety news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
No Comments yet