The situation, he said, is reminiscent of the early stages of the Takata air bag inflator recalls in 2001. Neither NHTSA nor ARC nor the automakers have released a full list of affected models.

(Some vehicles have ARC inflators on both sides.)īecause ARC supplies inflators that are included in other manufacturers’ airbags, there’s no easy way for vehicle owners to determine whether their inflators are made by ARC. In the meantime, owners of vehicles made by at least a dozen automakers - Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Ford, Toyota, Stellantis, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Porsche, Hyundai and Kia - are left to wonder anxiously whether their vehicles contain driver or front passenger inflators made by ARC. NHTSA would not say when or whether any of this will happen. It potentially could take ARC to court to seek a recall order. The next step is for NHTSA to issue a final ruling on whether the inflators are defective, then hold a public hearing.

In a statement, NHTSA indicated that both ARC and automakers are responsible for recalls and that it can seek a recall from a parts maker that supplies multiple automakers.

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