2013 has already surpassed existing records for the highest number of automotive product recalls related to defective airbags. Collectively, foreign and domestic automakers have already recalled over 6 million cars as of November 1st to correct problems with malfunctioning air bags.
Malfunctioning airbags can be extremely dangerous when they deploy incorrectly. The recalled airbags have been associated with several claims of injured vehicle occupants and, in one unfortunate case, a driver’s death. Airbag recalls have cited the following problems:
- Failure to deploy during serious collisions
- Unprompted, sudden deployment while the vehicle is in motion
- Spraying vehicle occupants with hot gases and metal fragments after exploding
Toyota, Others Add to Record Number of Airbag Recalls
A recent and notably substantial recall was issued by Toyota Motor Corp. in October. The recall affects over 803,000 cars sold in the US and involves an electrical short circuit that can prevent the vehicle’s airbags from deploying in a collision. This year, there were 2 confirmed reports of injuries linked to the problem.
Toyota has been joined by many other automakers in airbag recalls, including Honda, Nissan, Mazda and BMW. Collectively, these companies have issued 29 separate airbag recalls in 2013 alone. Automotive experts believe that airbag technology is still a work-in-progress and consumers are likely to see more airbag recalls as the technology is further refined in years to come.
Modern airbags are more complex, but offer vehicle occupants significantly more protection in a crash when they deploy correctly. Airbags are now part of multi-bag systems containing sensors that monitor seat positions, measure weight and evaluate the force of a crash in milliseconds to protect passengers of all sizes. About 15 to 20 years ago, vehicles offered driver-side airbags as standard equipment and a passenger-side airbag was optional. Today, both are now mandatory in all new cars and many automakers are offering additional airbags to protect the head and body.
Airbag Innovations Continue
Most automakers are now offering side-torso airbags and side-curtain airbags as standard equipment. Some even provide knee airbags for front passengers and rear airbags for passengers in the back seat. A few luxury models come equipped with seat-belt airbags to cushion the force of the belt against the chest. Airbags may deploy in unison or only from specific directions, depending upon how the vehicle’s sensors detect the direction and force of an impact.
This year, Buick (built by General Motors) introduced the very first Front Center Airbag. It serves as a divider/barrier that deploys between the driver and front seat passenger to help prevent them from colliding into one another during an accident. Volvo has pioneered the first exterior airbag, designed to deploy outside the car to protect pedestrians adjacent to a potential crash scene. Both Chrysler and General Motors plan to offer 10 airbags as standard equipment on their cars within 1-2 model years.
Lack of Suppliers Impacts Airbag Market and Quality Issues
The majority of automakers purchase airbags from a single supplier for use in a variety of different vehicle models. If one small problem or defect develops the supply chain, multiple product lines across multiple automakers could be affected.
In April of 2013 airbag manufacturer, Takata notified the NHTSA of an issue involving defective airbag housings. That one problem resulted in mass recalls from Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Mazda and BMW.
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