Exploding Airbag Issue Much Bigger Than Thought
Research shows dozens of models have potentially dangerous part.

General Motors apparently has the greatest number of vehicles with the potentially dangerous airbag part: a minimum of 3.6 million.
IMAGE: Pexels/Dietmar Janssen
Research by the Wall Street Journal found that potentially explosive airbags are in 50 vehicle models across 15 brands, including Ford, Chevrolet and Hyundai.
The newspaper found a minimum of 6.8 million vehicles that automakers told U.S. regulators have the part in question as part of an eight-year investigation.
The number of effected vehicles should end up being far higher, though, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has ordered parts manufacturer ARC Automotive to recall 67 million inflators used to fill airbags in a crash.
The airbags are prone to explosion in a collision, releasing shrapnel-like pieces of metal into the vehicle’s interior. At least two people have been killed and multiple others injured in such explosions, the newspaper said, citing the NHTSA.
ARC Automotive has said it won’t recall the part in question, denying that it’s defective.
The newspaper’s research found that General Motors apparently has the greatest number of vehicles with the potentially dangerous airbag part: a minimum of 3.6 million. GM has recalled four models, though the paper found that it has at least an additional 25 affected models that it hasn’t recalled.
LEARN MORE: Stellantis, Ford Issue Recalls
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Showroom

New-Vehicle Prices Stay Put
Affordability pressures and model availability shaped new-vehicle sales in September, according to an analysis by Kelley Blue Book.
Read More →
EV Buyer Consideration Shifts
What drives American consumers to purchase an electric vehicle is shifting as the question moves away from Should I?' to 'Which features and experience do I want to have?'
Read More →
Year-to-Date Auto Sales Holding Their Own
A forecast through August shows that automakers have shifted strategies to keep deliveries and revenues up despite tariffs and other economic challenges.
Read More →
Slow to Robo
Ten years of polling consumers shows autonomous vehicles’ profiles have risen considerably, but even more people now want at least some level of control if they go that route.
Read More →
Dealers a Little Down
A third-quarter Cox Automotive survey finds them in a mixed mood, bummed by fallen customer traffic but encouraged by better profits, costs and EV interest.
Read More →
European EV Sales Skyrocket
The EV market on the continent held strong in July with almost 25% of new-car sales being fully electric units, a stark contrast to the U.S., where EV sales declined about 42%.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan
The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.
Read More →
Used Lots Getting the Business
Many consumers are seeking out the units to save money, and the demand – higher in July than normal – is keeping supply limited and prices up.
Read More →
Used Market Stabilizes
The Carfax Used Car Index noted a major drop in used-vehicle price increases in July after several months of hikes.
Read More →
California Hybrids Reach State Record
The Golden State still leads the country in electric-vehicle registrations, but much like the rest of the U.S. its hybrid market share is up while full electrics stabilize after a dramatic first-quarter dip.
Read More →