NHTSA investigates 8 million ARC airbags; automakers like General Motors, FCA, Hyundai, Kia have been affected by the issues
It seems world automobile industry is facing another crisis after the Takata airbag scandal. Now the ARC airbags come with faulty inflator, which has even caused death in Canada. Concerned by the issue National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in US has started probing 8 million airbags manufactured by ARC. Due to the faulty ARC airbag inflators several automakers like General Motors, FCA, Hyundai, Kia have been affected. All these automakers said, they are fully cooperating with NHTSA.
Apart from the US authority, probe has begun in Canada as well. In Canada last month a death was reported which was caused by the rupture of a faulty ARC airbag inflator. Incidentally the Takata airbag scam initiated the wider probe on other manufacturer built airbags as well. Meanwhile the incident in Canada has raised the concern only.
Also read: Honda Accuses Takata for Hiding Airbag Test Results
More than 100 million Takata vehicles around the world have been affected by Takata airbag scandal. The affected vehicles include several automakers. A total of 13 deaths and more than 100 injuries have been reported so far because of the rupture of Takata airbag inflators.
The airbags deployed with excessive force and caused explosion, therefore spraying metal shards and injuring the occupants in every cases. Honda has faced a major recall all around the world. In India too the company made one of its biggest recall.
Also read: Honda Recall 1.90 Lakh Cars Over Faulty Airbag in India
In case of ARC airbags, two vehicles were reported with serious airbag inflator rupture incident. One was a 2002 Chrysler Town & Country, while the other one was a 2004 Kia Optima. Right after that NHTSA started investigation on 4.90 lakh vehicles in July last year. Now another crash was reported on 8th July involving a 2009 Hyundai Elantra. This has caused the upgrade in investigation.