Consumer Alert: Exploding Airbags Put Drivers at Risk

Airbags are designed to save lives — but recent investigations reveal that some airbags are doing the opposite. Federal safety regulators are warning consumers that certain airbag inflators can explode violently on impact, sending metal fragments into drivers and passengers. These failures have caused serious injuries and fatalities, even in crashes that should have been survivable.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, understanding this risk — and your legal rights — is more important than ever.

What’s Happening: Why Some Airbags Are Exploding

Airbags deploy using a controlled chemical reaction meant to inflate the bag in milliseconds. When an inflator is defective, degraded, or counterfeit, that reaction can become uncontrolled, causing the metal inflator housing to rupture. Instead of cushioning occupants, the airbag becomes a shrapnel device.

Recent consumer safety alerts highlight two major dangers:

1. Dangerous Replacement Airbag Inflators

Federal regulators have issued urgent warnings about substandard aftermarket replacement airbags, many of which were installed after prior crashes. These parts were not manufactured to safety standards and were often illegally imported. In real‑world crashes, these inflators have exploded and sent metal fragments into vehicle occupants, resulting in catastrophic injuries and deaths.

These dangerous airbags are especially common in:

• Used vehicles
• Cars with salvage or rebuilt titles
• Vehicles repaired outside authorized dealerships

Standard recall searches may not identify these airbags, because they were installed after the vehicle left the factory.

2. Ongoing Takata Airbag Recall Risks

Warren Law Firm Attorney Aaron McHenry, off to court!

Millions of vehicles on the road still contain unrepaired Takata airbag inflators, despite one of the largest recalls in automotive history. Over time, exposure to heat and humidity can cause the propellant inside these airbags to deteriorate, increasing the risk of an explosion during deployment.

Some older vehicles have been placed under “Do Not Drive” warnings due to the extreme danger these airbags pose.

Injuries Linked to Defective Airbags

When an airbag explodes improperly, injuries are often severe and life‑altering, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Facial fractures and eye injuries
• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Fatal injuries in otherwise survivable crashes

In many cases, victims never had a chance to react — the danger came from a safety system they trusted.

What Drivers Can Do Right Now to Reduce the Risk and protect your and your family

1. Check your vehicle for open recalls using your VIN

2. Get a professional inspection if your vehicle has ever been in a crash where airbags deployed

3. Be cautious when buying used vehicles, especially those with salvage or rebuilt titles

4. Do not drive a vehicle if you suspect the airbags may be counterfeit or unsafe

5. Keep repair records — they can be critical if something goes wrong

Your Legal Rights After an Airbag Injury

If a defective airbag caused or worsened your injuries, you may have a claim against:

• Airbag manufacturers
• Parts suppliers
• Repair shops or installers
• Vehicle sellers who failed to disclose prior damage
• Product liability and personal injury laws allow injured victims to pursue compensation for:
• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Wrongful death

These cases can be complex, often involving corporate manufacturers and insurance companies. Having experienced legal representation matters.

Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer About an Airbag Explosion Injury

If you or someone you love was injured in a crash involving an airbag failure or explosion, you deserve answers. A qualified personal injury attorney can investigate whether a defective airbag played a role and help protect your rights.

Consultations are free, and you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered.

Your vehicle is to protect you — when it doesn’t, accountability matters.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

Thanks to https://unsplash.com/@omikron for the featured image!