Tucked in between all the junk mail in your mailbox, a notice comes from an…
On April 23, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced its investigation into a potentially defective airbag issue linked to several deaths. Initially, the agency began investigating 1.2 million vehicles made by Honda and Kia. The agency decided to expand the investigation expansion now includes 12.3 million vehicles German airbag supplier ZF-TRW.
Affected models include 2010 to 2019 from several car manufacturers:
- Honda
- Kia
- Mitsubishi
- Hyundai
- Toyota
- Fiat Chrysler
Experts suspect that the airbag control units made by ZF-TRW can fail in a crash because of unwanted electrical signals produced by the crash itself. These signals can disable an airbag control circuit housed in the passenger compartment. As a result, the airbag fails to deploy leading to serious injuries of vehicle occupants.
According to the Associated Press, the problem may be responsible for as many as eight deaths.
History of the ZF-TRW Airbag Probe
NHTSA began probing airbags in Hyundai and Kia vehicle in March 2018 after reports that frontal airbags units were failing to deploy. At the time, the agency was aware of six crashes where airbags failed to deploy. Those crashes led to four deaths and six injuries. At the time, the probe included 425,000 vehicles.
On April 19, NHTSA upgraded its investigation from preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis. The made the upgrade after identifying two major crashes, one fatal, involving Toyota Corollas where the airbags failed to deploy. Depending on NHTSA’s finding, the agency could order a recall of the airbags.
The Carlson Law Firm Can Help
Car crashes are already a traumatic experience. But, when equipment in your vehicle fails to protect you, it can increase your trauma. Airbags are a crucial part of your safety in a car crash and their failure to deploy in a crash can lead to serious injuries or even death. If you or a loved one were injured in a crash where airbags failed to deploy, you are eligible to receive fair compensation for your injuries. A qualified defective airbag attorney from The Carlson Law Firm is ready to help.
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