Topline
Nearly four million Kia vehicles have air bag inflators the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warned could explode in a crash, according to the Wall Street Journal, following a report from the agency that indicated at least two people were killed because of the part, which it has issued a recall request for.
Nearly four million Kia vehicles have potentially explosive air bag inflators.
Key Facts
The Kia vehicles—made between 2000 and 2016—are equipped with air bag inflators manufactured by Tennessee-based ARC Automotive, which regulators indicated could explode when deployed, causing metal shrapnel to be shot into the car’s interior, according to federal documents cited by the Wall Street Journal.
It was previously unknown how many Kia vehicles had the part installed, though the agency’s request to ARC Automotive to recall the part earlier this month cites a 2014 crash involving a 2004 Kia Optima, in which the air bag exploded and caused injuries to the driver’s face and legs.
The recall request also cites two crashes resulting in death, including a 2016 crash in Canada involving a 2009 Hyundai Elantra and a 2021 crash involving a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse.
The part—used by at least 15 automotive brands—has resulted in vehicle recalls from BMW, Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen.
ARC Automotive responded to the recall request indicating it “strongly disagrees” with the agency’s conclusion, suggesting they found no defect with the part after testing.
Neither ARC Automotive nor Kia immediately responded to a request for comment from Forbes, though Kia has not issued any recalls or warned drivers of a potential problem.
Big Number
994,763. That’s how many vehicles GM recalled earlier this month due to potentially explosive air bags, after a driver sustained facial injuries in a crash in March.
Tangent
The NHTSA has also called for the recall of 67 million air bags manufactured by Takata, after an investigation found they could explode when deployed. According to a 2021 report, the air bags resulted in at least two deaths.
Key Background
The NHTSA initiated a probe into ARC Automotive’s air bag inflators following the fatal 2016 crash in Canada. The agency estimates at least 67 million inflators were installed in vehicles through January 2018. ARC Automotive created a design flaw in the inflator, according to the agency, resulting in the air bags becoming over-pressurized and often causing debris from the inflator to shoot outward. The agency cited nine accidents—including the two deaths—that resulted in the airbag exploding between January 2009 and March 2023. ARC Automotive has denied the agency’s reports, though it maintains it is “deeply committed” to cooperating with additional investigations.
Further Reading
Nearly 4 Million Kia Cars Have Potentially Explosive Air-Bag Inflators, Document Shows (Wall Street Journal)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/05/31/almost-4-million-kia-vehicles-could-have-explosive-air-bag-inflators-report-says/