Airbags play a crucial role in automotive safety. In recognition of their significance, in 1999, the federal government mandated that all new vehicles—cars, trucks, and SUVs—must come equipped with front airbags for both drivers and passengers. Designed to serve as a lifesaving buffer in collisions, airbags have saved countless lives over the years. However, recent reports involving the safety of airbags manufactured by ARC Automotive have cast a shadow over the safety of the company’s products.

Rising concerns center around reports of ARC airbags violently exploding rather than deploying as intended during crashes. These reported malfunctions have resulted in metal fragments being projected into vehicle interiors, leading to serious injuries and even deaths. Rather than safeguarding passengers during collisions, these potentially defective ARC airbags may actually increase motorists’ risk of serious injury or death in the event of an accident. Adding to many consumers’ frustration is the fact that ARC has seemingly refused to issue a recall despite demands from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

If you suffered an airbag injury after a motor vehicle accident, it's essential to understand your legal rights as well as what you can do to pursue them. As we’ve mentioned in previous posts, automotive manufacturers and part suppliers have a legal responsibility to ensure their products' safety. Consequently, if a defective airbag leads to significant injuries or death, the manufacturer may be held liable. Those considering an ARC airbag lawsuit should consult with an attorney specializing in defective airbag cases. The complexity of these cases requires experienced guidance to navigate and effectively pursue a claim against ARC Automotive.

Are Airbags Effective at Preventing Car Accident Injuries and Deaths?

Generally speaking, airbags, when correctly manufactured and installed, serve as a reliable safety measure for adults and teenagers. Notably, however, airbags are not designed or intended to protect the safety of children under 13. Passengers under 13 are advised to ride in the back seat.

The effectiveness of airbags relies heavily on their design and the absence of defects. The recent recall of Takata airbags, connected to 24 fatalities and over 400 injuries, underscores the potential danger posed by flawed airbags.

Reported Problems with ARC Airbags

Recently, consumers from across the United States have raised concerns that ARC airbags aren't safe due to instances of explosive deployment. ARC Automotive disputes these claims, asserting the safety of their airbags.

Some have suggested that ARC Automotive airbag explosions are due to a possible defect related to the use of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) as a secondary propellant in ARC’s toroidal stored gas hybrid inflators. These inflators, which are metal canisters filled with compressed gas, also contain a propellant that, in ARC's inflators, is PSAN. PSAN heats the gas, causing it to inflate rapidly and deploy the airbag.

The potential issue arises from the properties of ammonium nitrate, which can overinflate the airbag and cause it to explode, even in minor collisions. Such an explosion can rip the metal canister apart, sending shrapnel flying throughout the interior of a vehicle, posing a major risk to vehicle occupants.

Which Vehicles Containing ARC Airbags Have Been Recalled?

No major recall of ARC Automotive airbags had been issued. However, in May 2023, after the safety concerns over ARC airbags became well known, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) began looking into the issue. The NHTSA provided ARC with a series of questions, in which ARC admitted that the company had not notified consumers about the potential dangers of its inflators and that it could not guarantee its products would not rupture. Ultimately, the NHTSA demanded ARC Automotive recall 67 million inflators in driver and passenger front airbags.

Some vehicle manufacturers, however, have issued recalls involving vehicles containing an ARC inflator. For example, GM recalled over one million vehicles in May 2023, and NHTSA reports suggest that BMW, Ford, and Volkswagen have also recalled vehicles based on concerns over airbags containing an ARC inflator.

It’s been reported that the ARC airbag recall affects 50 different vehicle models made by at least 12 manufacturers; however, at this point, ARC Automotive, the auto industry, or the NHTSA have not issued a list of affected vehicles. That said, it is estimated that there are 30 million vehicles that may be at risk due to potentially defective ARC Automotive airbags.

Presently, owners of vehicles containing an ARC airbag cannot guarantee that the unit in their vehicle is functional. If you suspect that your vehicle may have a defective airbag, it's advisable to reach out to an attorney specializing in airbag defects. They can provide guidance and help determine if your vehicle indeed carries a hazardous airbag inflator.

What Actions to Take if Injured by an Airbag

Individuals who suffered an airbag-related injury or lost a loved one due to a possibly defective airbag may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer. Product liability claims typically fall under “strict liability,” which is a legal concept that holds manufacturers financially accountable for any injuries caused by their products without the accident victim needing to prove the company was negligent or knew about the danger its product presented. However, victims are still required to show that the alleged defect, in this case, an airbag deflator, contributed to the accident or enhanced the severity of their injuries.

Some product liability cases proceed under a traditional theory of negligence, in which case, the victim must show that the company was negligent. A proficient airbag product liability lawyer can assist victims in understanding their legal options and effectively pursuing a claim against the manufacturer, providing much-needed support and expertise in what promises to be a highly complex case.

More Information About ARC Automotive

Established in 1949, ARC Automotive is a manufacturing company headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. ARC Automotive specializes in manufacturing airbag inflators for various types of airbags. Some of the company’s airbags include the following models:

• AHS Hybrid Inflators
• CH5-30mm Hybrid Inflators
• CH5-35mm Hybrid Inflators
• Dual-Level CADH Hybrid Inflators
• Dual-Level G2P Hybrid Passenger Inflators
• Dual-Level PH5.1 Hybrid Inflators
• Dual-Level PH7 (120) Hybrid Inflators
• MPD Pyro Inflators
• SH5 Hybrid Inflators
• Single-Level CADH/DH7 Hybrid Inflators
• Single-Level DH8 Hybrid Inflators
• Single-Level G2P Hybrid Passenger Inflators
• Single-Level G2P+ Hybrid Passenger Inflators
• Single-Level G2Ps Hybrid Passenger Inflators
• Single-Level PH5.1 Hybrid Inflators
• Single-Level PH7 (120) Hybrid Inflators
• Single-Level PH7 (90) Hybrid Inflators

ARC Automotive has a workforce of around 1,700 employees and generates approximately $337 million in annual revenue.