ARC Automotive Ordered to Answer for Exploding Airbag Inflators

The United States government has ordered ARC Automotive to answer questions under oath concerning their exploding airbag inflators that they refuse to recall, AP News reports.

The airbag inflators have been found to explode and release shrapnel and are used by at least a dozen automakers, affecting at least 33 million vehicles on the road.

ARC has regarded the NHTSA’s findings as hypothetical and not based on “technical conclusions,” and that the NHTSA is overstepping by targeting a parts manufacturer.

The NHTSA plans to question ARC on whether something more than an isolated error could cause the explosions. They will also ask if ARC expects more to explode in the future and will question them on the 2018 installation of a scope in their facility to detect welding debris that could block inflator vents.

“I think they’re trying to get at what was ARC basing that decision on and does it suggest that there’s a defect in the population of inflators that were produced before that date,” said the Center for Auto Safety Executive Director Michael Brooks.

ARC must respond to the government by June 14 or it will face “a maximum fine of $131.6 million and potential criminal penalties.”