BMW, Ford, Volkswagen, GM recall 51 million cars: Here's why
What's the story
BMW, Ford, Volkswagen, and General Motors (GM) are preparing to recall nearly 51 million vehicles in the US due to a significant airbag defect.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a warning about faulty inflators from ARC Automotive Inc. and Delphi Automotive Systems LLC.
These defective components could cause airbags to explode during an accident, potentially sending shrapnel into the vehicle's interior.
Safety concerns
Faulty inflators linked to injuries and deaths
The NHTSA's investigation has disclosed that certain airbag inflators either had insufficient welds or the canisters were over-pressurized due to a vent getting clogged during the welding process.
These faulty inflators have been linked to seven injuries and two fatalities in the US and Canada since 2009.
This is not the first time NHTSA has attempted to get these manufacturers to recall their products due to safety concerns related with airbags.
Recall history
Previous recall recommendations and legal responsibility
In September 2023, the NHTSA recommended both ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive Systems to carry out a recall. However, ARC Automotive did not comply with this recommendation.
Delphi is no longer an independent entity as it sold its airbag business to Sweden's Autoliv.
The NHTSA is currently determining which party holds legal responsibility for Delphi's products amid this widespread safety issue.
Recall response
Automakers respond to NHTSA's recall notice
The NHTSA has given all involved automakers and suppliers 30 days to submit their comments on this issue.
GM has already issued a recall notice for nearly one million cars equipped with what they believe are dangerous airbag inflators.
BMW, Ford, and Volkswagen have also issued recall notices in response to the NHTSA's warning about the widespread airbag defect.
Wider implications
Potential impact on other manufacturers
It is anticipated that more manufacturers will be affected by this problem. These potentially include Stellantis, Porsche, Kia, and Hyundai.
This industry-wide recall puts multiple manufacturers in a challenging position as they grapple with the implications of this widespread safety issue related to faulty airbag inflators.