Exploding Airbags: Causes, Consequences, and Legal Steps

In recent years, there has been an influx of recalls issued by major vehicle manufacturers across the globe, including Stellantis, General Motors, and Tesla, related to defective airbags. Along with the recalls, there has also been an uptick in lawsuits related to the hundreds of drivers on the road having incurred countless damages due to defective airbags. So the question is, if these defective airbags are the cause of severe injuries and, in some cases, death, why are some vehicle manufacturers fighting back against recalls, and what happens when drivers on the road are unaware of the dangers lurking in the safety features of their vehicles? 

Below, we’re discussing everything you need to know about these exploding airbags and the direct consequences millions of drivers on the road now face due to the lack of action from certain motor vehicle companies.

Why Are Airbags Exploding? A Brief History

According to investigations conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(“NHTSA”), there is no one reason why your vehicle’s airbags are exploding. In fact, there are many. We know that does not sound comforting, but the reality of these issues and whether vehicle manufacturers are willing to cooperate with demands to recall and repair the affected vehicles can mean the difference between life and death for millions of drivers on the road.

Two of the most widely reported recalls surrounding defective airbags are currently claimed by Takata Corporation(“Takata”), a now-bankrupt Japanese automotive parts company, and auto suppliers ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive Systems (“ARC”).

Takata Airbag Inflators

The now-defunct Takata Corporation was founded in Japan in 1933 by Takezo Takada. Early on, the company began manufacturing products like lifelines for parachutes and other textiles. Then, in the 1980s, it eventually moved into becoming an auto parts manufacturer, producing seatbelts, airbag inflators, and other vehicle features. 

By 2014, Takata held roughly 20 percent of the market for vehicle airbag inflators. However, during this time, the company would begin to see its downfall, as over the course of a decade, reports were flooding in regarding issues, injuries, and even deaths that were directly linked to the Takata airbags placed in thousands of vehicles across the globe. 

In 2013, Takata experienced its first recall for its defective airbag inflators after a series of deaths and injuries were reported. The 3.6 million airbag inflators were manufactured by Takata's Monclova Plant in Coahuila, Mexico. This recall had been the catalyst for the NHTSA to continue to dive further into the defective Takata airbags. Then, in 2014, due to results from the investigation, auto manufacturers BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, and Toyota announced they were recalling over three million vehicles worldwide due to Takata-made airbags. 

According to the NHTSA, the Takata airbags were at high risk of rupturing and sending debris flying inside the cabin, threatening the safety of those in or around the vehicle. Later, more fatalities linked to the airbag inflators prompted the NHTSA to initiate the largest motor vehicle recall in history, with more than 42 vehicles recalled.

In 2017, Takata filed for bankruptcy as it owed more compensation for the catastrophe than was sustainable. Eventually, the company was acquired by a Chinese competitor, Key Safety Systems, and now does business under the name Joyson Safety Systems. Victims of the defective Takata airbags and their families may be eligible to recover compensation for their injuries, which you can learn more about here.

ARC Airbag Inflators

One of the most recent cases of defective airbags is from auto suppliers ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive Systems. In September 2023, the NHTSA demanded that the auto suppliers recall roughly 52 million airbag inflators as concluded in their investigation; they found the inflators may rupture and send metal fragments flying into the cabin, endangering the lives of those in or surrounding the vehicle.

The investigation conducted by the NHTSA found that when the weld slag becomes dislodged, it can block the inflator's exit orifice when the airbag deploys. "A blockage of sufficient size will cause an over-pressurization and rupture of the inflator, leading to the potential forced propulsion of shrapnel or metal fragments from the inflator into the passenger compartment."

According to a report published by the NHTSA, the ARC inflators were incorporated into the airbag modules used in vehicles manufactured by the following 12 vehicle manufacturers: BMW of North America, LLC, FCA

US LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors LLC, Hyundai Motor America, Inc., Kia America, Inc., Maserati North America, Inc., Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, Porsche Cars North America, Inc., Tesla Inc., Toyota Motor North America, Inc., and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

While the NHTSA holds its ground on its decision for ARC to recall the affected airbags, the vehicle manufacturer continues to fight back on the decision. Steve Gold, vice president of product integrity for ARC, says the reports are "inaccurate and misleading." According to ARC's reports, it claims they have not found a systemic defect across the 52 million inflators identified in this initial decision. Gold also claimed that the seven U.S. ruptures were "isolated incidents and not indicative of a systemic defect. 

Regardless of ARC's decision not to recall the millions of vehicles affected by the defective airbag inflators, vehicle companies like Ford Motor Company, BMW AG, Volkswagen AG, and General Motors have issued recalls for thousands of vehicles. 

What Injuries Do Exploding Airbags Cause?

Drivers who are behind the wheel of a car equipped with a defective airbag are at risk of sustaining severe or even life-threatening injuries. According to findings by the NHTSA, at least 400 people in the United States have allegedly been injured by exploding airbag inflators. Of those injuries, some of the most commonly reported include but are not limited to the following:

• Broken bones: The force of the airbag explosion may cause the driver or passenger in the cabin to suffer from bone fractures or dislocations in the ribs, collarbone, arms, wrists, and/or hands.
• Burns: After an airbag explodes, the driver or passenger may suffer from burns caused by the friction of the airbag material rubbing against the skin. They may also suffer burns caused by the chemical agent used to inflate the airbag.
• Facial injuries: Drivers and passengers may suffer serious facial injuries when airbags explode and send dangerous chemicals and debris flying through the cabin. Injuries include lacerations resulting in permanent scars as well as eye, nose, and jaw injuries.
• Hearing loss: An airbag explosion may cause the driver and passengers to suffer from hearing loss due to the blast wave, which can cause semi-permanent or permanent damage to the ear. Common blast injuries victims may experience include tinnitus, auditory hypersensitivity, vertigo, and/or balance disturbances.

The NHTSA has confirmed a total of 27 deaths in the United States directly connected to the Takata airbags. As for the ARC defective airbag inflators, they have been linked to a total of two deaths and seven injuries in the United States. The NHTSA believes the injury and death toll is likely to rise should vehicle manufacturers like ARC continue to allow the affected vehicles to remain on the road without proper repair.

How To Know if Your Car Is Impacted by the Airbag Inflator Recalls

Vehicle owners who suspect their vehicle may be recalled due to a defective airbag may inquire with their vehicle company or by entering their vehicle's 17-digit vehicle identification number (“VIN”) on the NHTSA's "Recalls Look-up Tool." Drivers can locate their vehicle's VIN on the lower left of their car's windshield or on their car's registration card. In some cases, drivers will find their VIN shown on their insurance card. The NHTSA has also provided a list of the specific vehicles directly affected by the Takata airbag inflators. 

Under the vehicle list, the NHTSA is calling a priority based on the risk of injury or death. Some vehicles may be more susceptible to malfunctions or explosions, as certain areas may have exposed the inflators to different levels of temperature and humidity. As it is currently listed on the NHTSA's website, the following states have issued recalls based on the zones affected by temperature and humidity. 

Zone A: Hot & Humid

Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas

Zone B: Less Hot & Humid

Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia

Zone C: Least Hot & Humid

Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

For more information about the priority zones, and if you believe your vehicle may have been affected, do not hesitate to contact your vehicle manufacturer or your local dealership. Those who have suffered an injury or lost a loved one due to a defective airbag may be entitled to recover financial compensation. You can learn more by contacting a defective airbag attorney today.

What You Can Do After You’ve Been Injured or Affected by an Exploding Airbag

When getting on the road, you should never have to wonder if your vehicle's safety features will cause injury or death. Currently, those who fear their cars may be affected by defective airbag inflators can contact their vehicle manufacturer or local dealership for instructions on repairs, replacements, or any recommended safety guidelines. Those who have suffered an injury or lost a loved one due to defective airbag inflators may be eligible to recover compensation. 

For more information, we encourage you to contact a Morgan & Morgan defective airbag attorney today, as speaking with an attorney can help you better understand your legal options and significantly increase your odds of recovering compensation for the damages you or your loved ones have incurred. Learn more today by completing our free, no-obligation case evaluation form.