The Hidden Dangers of Faulty Airbags: What Every Driver Should Know

Airbags are among the most vital safety features in today’s vehicles, credited with preventing countless injuries and saving innumerable lives. But when these lifesaving devices fail—due to manufacturing defects, poor design, aging parts, or improper installation—they can cause harm instead of protection. This article aims to shed light on the risks posed by defective airbags, the real-world consequences for affected individuals and families, and the legal options available to those impacted.

Understanding Airbag Failures and Their Consequences

We rely on airbags to help prevent serious injury, but when they don’t work as intended, the results can be devastating. These failures take several forms, each with its own serious risks:

Failure to Deploy: In a crash, a non-deploying airbag can leave drivers and passengers dangerously unprotected, greatly increasing the chance of severe injuries or loss of life.

Unintended Deployment: Sometimes even in the absence of a collision, airbags deploy without warning, potentially causing drivers to be unable to see or to lose control, leading to accidents and injuries.

Overly Forceful Deployment: Airbags are meant to cushion—not harm. But when they deploy with excessive force, they can cause contusions, broken bones, internal injuries, head trauma, and other serious injuries, particularly in children and smaller adults.

Explosive Deployment (Shrapnel Injuries): Perhaps the most alarming is when an airbag explodes due to a defective inflator, sending sharp metal fragments into the cabin. This rare but tragic scenario has resulted in grave injuries and even fatalities.

Real-World Case: Takata and ARC Recalls

The Takata airbag crisis remains one of the most significant recalls in automotive history. Many millions of airbags were affected worldwide. At the heart of the issue was a chemical propellant—ammonium nitrate—that deteriorated over time, especially in hot and humid climates. This led to inflator ruptures that, in several heartbreaking instances, turned everyday drives into life-altering tragedies. At least 27 deaths in the U.S. have been linked to this defect, alongside hundreds of injuries.

Another manufacturer, ARC Automotive, has also faced scrutiny for similar inflator defects. The threat of explosive deployment and associated injuries remains a serious concern.

By the Numbers: Impact and Ongoing Risks

Lives Saved vs. Lives Lost: While properly functioning airbags significantly reduce the risk of death in crashes, particularly regarding SUVs, defective airbags have been linked to a number of fatalities and numerous injuries.

Widespread Exposure: As of 2024, millions of vehicles in the U.S. are still on the road with unrepaired Takata airbags, despite years of public recalls. People either remain uninformed about these defective airbags or don’t understand their prospective dangers, which include:

• Deep lacerations and puncture wounds from metal fragments
• Chemical burns from inflator materials
• Blunt force trauma, including skull and rib fractures
• Facial injuries, eye damage, and hearing loss
• Lasting psychological distress from the traumatic events

Why Do Airbags Fail?

Airbags, like any other component of a vehicle can fail for any number of reasons. Many factors can lead to airbag failures, including:

• Design Flaws: Some airbags are inherently flawed due to unstable materials or poor engineering decisions.
• Manufacturing Errors: Mistakes during production—like contamination or faulty assembly—can result in non-compliant, dangerous products.
• Age and Environment: Over time, especially in hot or humid climates, airbag components can degrade, making failures more likely.
• Aftermarket Risks: Unsanctioned or counterfeit replacement airbags—often sold online—may not meet safety standards and can pose even greater threats than original defects.

Government Oversight and Safety Measures

Safety Standards: Airbags must meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), including FMVSS 208, which sets guidelines for crash protection. Even aftermarket parts are held to these standards.

The Recall Process: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) manages safety recalls. Once a defect is identified, manufacturers must notify vehicle owners and provide free repairs or replacements.

Remaining Gaps: Despite regulatory efforts, millions of vehicles still have faulty airbags—especially older models or secondhand vehicles. Many owners may not even be aware of the risk.

Legal Options for Victims of Defective Airbags

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a faulty airbag, you have a right to seek justice and compensation. Defective airbag claims typically involve one or more of the following product liability components:

1. Strict Liability: Manufacturers can be held responsible simply for producing a defective product that caused harm—even without proof of negligence.
2. Negligence: If a company failed to exercise reasonable care in the design, production, or testing of the airbag, they may be liable.
3. Breach of Warranty: If the airbag did not perform as advertised or expected, legal claims may be filed under warranty law.

Class Action Lawsuits

Large-scale defects often result in class actions, allowing multiple victims to file claims together, increasing visibility and legal strength. Takata, for example, was forced into bankruptcy, with billions of dollars set aside to support victims and fund recalls.

Eligibility and Compensation

Anyone injured by a faulty airbag may be eligible to file a claim for compensation, including drivers, passengers, and the surviving family members of someone who was fatally injured.

How a Product Liability Lawsuit Begins

When a product like an airbag fails and causes injury or harm, the legal system allows victims to pursue justice through a product liability lawsuit. This type of lawsuit holds manufacturers, designers, and sometimes retailers accountable for putting a dangerous or defective product into the hands of consumers.

Here’s a step-by-step overview of how the process usually starts:

1. Seek Medical Attention and Document Everything – Your health and safety come first. After any injury—especially one caused by a faulty airbag—get immediate medical treatment. Your medical records will later serve as critical evidence linking the injury to the defective product.

Additionally, document as much as you can by taking photos of any injuries, vehicle damage, and the airbag (if safe to do so). Save all medical bills and repair estimates. Keep any communications from the automaker or dealership about recalls or repairs.

2. Consult an Experienced Product Liability Attorney – The next crucial step is to speak with an attorney who specializes in product liability and auto defect cases. These cases can be complex, often involving big corporations and technical investigations. A skilled attorney can:

• Evaluate whether your injury likely resulted from a defective airbag
• Explain your legal options in clear terms
• Handle communications with insurance companies, manufacturers, and other parties

At AutoAccident.com, we offer free consultations, and work on a contingency fee basis –meaning you don’t pay unless we win compensation for you.

3. Investigation and Case Building – If your case moves forward, our firm will begin a thorough investigation. This may include:

• Reviewing crash reports and recall notices
• Consulting experts in automotive safety and engineering
• Collecting witness statements
• Analyzing the vehicle and airbag system

We will work to establish three key elements of your product liability claim:

• The airbag was defective (by design, manufacturing error, or lack of warning).
• The defect existed when the product left the manufacturer’s control.
• The defect directly caused your injuries.

1. Filing the Lawsuit – Once enough evidence is gathered, we will file a formal complaint in civil court. This document outlines your claim, the damages you are seeking, and the legal basis for holding the manufacturer or other parties liable. The defendants will be notified and given time to respond. Depending on the circumstances of your case, the defendants may include one or more of the following:
   1. Airbag Manufacturers: Companies like Takata and ARC have already faced serious financial and legal consequences for producing dangerous products.
   2. Automakers: Car companies that installed faulty airbags—and failed to act quickly—may share responsibility.
   3. Component Suppliers: Third-party manufacturers that supplied defective parts can also be held accountable.

2. Determining Fair Damages – Having a lawyer who specializes in faulty airbag injury cases is important, because they can use expert resources to determine the long-term and ongoing costs of your injury, which may include:

• Medical costs (past and future)
• Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Wrongful death compensation, where applicable

Negotiations or Trial

Most product liability cases settle out of court after negotiations. Typically, airbag manufacturers, automakers and other companies don’t like bad press, and are often eager to settle without going to trial. However, if a fair settlement can’t be reached, you need an experienced attorney who is not intimidated by going up against these powerful companies, and is eager to present an accurate, aggressive and compelling case before a judge or jury.

Initiating a lawsuit may feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. The caring, experienced legal team of AutoAccident.com can guide you through every step, help you seek accountability, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Moving Forward: Prevention and Protection

Airbags are designed to save lives – but when they malfunction, the consequences can be tragic. From explosive inflators to deployment failures, faulty airbags have left families grieving and victims scarred. While legal remedies exist, prevention is key. With continued vigilance, awareness, and accountability, we can work toward a future where every airbag performs the way it was meant to – safely and reliably. That’s why a serious injury caused by a faulty airbag demands attention – not just to help ensure you’re fairly compensated, but also to make an impactful statement to airbag manufacturers and automakers that they must take proactive steps to protect the public, including:

1. Better Oversight: Tighter regulations and regular safety reviews are needed to catch defects early.
2. Improved Public Awareness: Airbag manufacturers and automakers must quickly inform vehicle owners of any airbag recalls and provide prompt repair or replacement when needed.
3. Stronger Quality Control: Automakers must avoid shortcuts in production and prioritize long-term safety over cost-saving measures.
4. Combatting Counterfeits: Governments and industry groups must work together to eliminate the sale of unsafe, uncertified airbag replacements.

If you or someone you care about has been injured by a malfunctioning airbag, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney who understands product liability law. You have rights, and there is help available.

Have You Been Hurt by a Faulty Airbag?

Please know you’re not alone – and you don’t have to face the consequences alone.

Airbags are meant to protect us. We trust that in the event of a collision, they will cushion the impact and give us a fighting chance to walk away safely. But when airbags fail—whether by not deploying, deploying with excessive force, or exploding unexpectedly—the results can be devastating. If you or someone you love has been injured by a defective airbag, you may feel overwhelmed, confused, and unsure of what steps to take next. Please know this: caring, experienced and effective help is available.

I’m Ed Smith. At my firm, AutoAccident.com, we understand the physical pain, emotional distress, and financial hardship that come with a serious airbag injury. We also understand the frustration that comes from realizing the very feature designed to save your life has caused more harm. That’s why we’ve dedicated a portion of our practice specifically to helping victims of faulty and dangerous airbag systems—including cases involving Takata, ARC, and other recalled or defective airbags.

Over the years, our legal team has seen firsthand the consequences of these failures: shrapnel injuries, burns, fractures, internal trauma, and, tragically, even wrongful deaths. We know that behind every case is a real person—a parent, a child, a friend—whose life was changed in an instant. We don’t just handle your case; we listen to your story, guide you through your legal options with compassion, and fight for the justice you deserve.

If your injury was caused by a defective airbag, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, rehabilitative care, lost wages or reduced ability to work, pain and suffering, emotional trauma, damage to your vehicle, and other expenses.

Bringing a claim can also help prevent future tragedies. By holding manufacturers and automakers accountable, you send a message that safety should never be compromised—and that people matter more than profits.

Time is often critical in these cases. Evidence can fade, deadlines for legal action may pass, and recalls may go unnoticed. That’s why we urge you to reach out today—even if you’re unsure whether you have a case. Our team offers free consultations with no obligation, and you pay nothing unless we win for you.

You’ve been through enough. Let us handle the legal burden so you can focus on healing and moving forward. Our mission is simple: to stand up for people like you, and to ensure that no one is left behind after suffering a preventable injury.

AutoAccident.com is located in California, with a legal reach that spans across all 50 states. So, no matter where you live, call us now at 916.921.6400 or toll-free at 800.404.5400 for free, friendly advice.