07/14/2015 // JusticeNewsFlash // (press release)
Detroit – Federal safety regulators have begun investigating a second company over a possible air bag defect. The announcement comes after Japanese manufacturer Takata Corp. agreed to recall millions of inflators in the U.S.
The Associated Press reported the inflators being probed were made by ARC Automotive Inc., and installed in approximately 420,000 older Fiat Chrysler Town and Country minivans and an additional 70,000 Kia Optima midsize sedans, according to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The agency said the only two known incidents involving those made by ARC have prompted the investigation. NHTSA investigators wrote in the documents, “At the present time it is unknown if there is a common root cause in these incidents… (The agency) is opening this investigation in order to collect all known facts from the involved suppliers and vehicle manufacturers.”
At least a reported 8 people have been killed and over 100 injured due to flying shrapnel from exploding airbags manufactured by Takata. No deaths have been linked to those produced by ARC Automotive, but two people were injured in the reported incidents.
