The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has demanded that ARC Automotive issue a recall for roughly 67 million inflators in driver and passenger front airbags installed in vehicles from 12 automakers, including Tesla. According to the agency’s investigation into the inflators, they have been the cause of at least eight incidents involving two deaths and seven injuries. However, ARC Automotive refuses to comply with the NHTSA’s demands, claiming the defect does not exist in the inflators and that any issues found were related to isolated manufacturing issues. The agency estimates at least 33 million vehicles on the road are believed to contain faulty airbag inflators, risking the lives of millions.
On October 5, 2023, the NHTSA will hold a public meeting to review their original findings. For more information on the ARC airbag inflators or if you believe you are in possession of one of the affected Tesla vehicles and have suffered an injury, contact a Morgan & Morgan attorney today.