Summary
Airbags are designed to protect you—but when they fail or deploy dangerously, injuries can become far worse. Defective airbag recalls involving Takata and ARC inflators have affected millions of vehicles nationwide. This guide explains how recalls connect to serious injuries, who may be legally responsible under California product liability law, what evidence matters most, and what steps protect your health and your right to compensation.
Table of Contents
You’re involved in a car accident in California. The collision ends, the seatbelt holds—but the airbags don’t work as expected. Instead of protecting you, they may cause serious injuries or fail to deploy at all.
This isn’t rare. Ongoing recalls tied to defective airbags have affected millions of vehicles nationwide. According to the NHTSA, safety defects in airbag systems continue to trigger investigations across multiple automakers.
If you were injured and later discovered your vehicle was part of an airbag recall, one question matters most: what does this mean for your injury case? Understanding how recalls relate to injuries is the first step toward protecting your health and your rights.
Airbag recall: Recalled Vehicles by vehicle identification number
Checking whether your vehicle is part of an airbag recall is simple and can be done in minutes through the NHTSA recall database.
- Locate your vehicle identification number on your vehicle or paperwork
- Enter the number into the official NHTSA recall database
- Review current recall records linked to your vehicle
- Follow any inspection instructions provided for recalled vehicles
Even if no warning light is on, recalls can still apply. Reviewing recall records early helps identify safety defects and protects you before another collision occurs.
Why airbag recalls happen
Airbag recalls usually stem from defects in the airbag inflator or the airbag system, turning a critical safety feature into a hazard during a collision.
Takata airbag inflator defects
Many recalls involve the Takata airbag inflator, which uses a chemical propellant containing ammonium nitrate. Exposure to heat and humidity can cause this material to degrade.
Even phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate has proven unstable in some cases, increasing the risk of violent airbag deployment, metal fragmentation, and serious injuries.
ARC Automotive Inc. inflator issues
Other recalls involve inflators made by ARC Automotive Inc., where defects linked to the welding process may weaken the inflator housing. These flaws can result in electrical overstress or inadvertent deployment, leading to an improper or premature airbag deployment.
Airbag system failures
Some recalls involve the broader airbag system, not just the inflator, including:
- Faulty sensors
- Damaged wires or poor insulation
- A short circuit that disrupts system performance
These failures can prevent airbag deployment during a crash—or trigger deployment when it shouldn’t occur.
Injuries caused by airbag malfunction
When airbag deployment goes wrong—or when an airbag failure occurs—the resulting injuries can be severe and immediate, often affecting multiple areas of the body.
Common injuries linked to malfunctioning airbags include:
- Head and brain injuries — From excessive deployment force or impact with the steering wheel
- Chest and rib injuries — Caused by high-impact airbag deployment
- Spinal injuries — Resulting from uncontrolled forward movement during a crash
- Upper body injuries — Including arms, shoulders, and hands during unexpected deployment
- Chemical burns — Caused by chemicals released during deployment
Because these injuries often stem from hidden safety defects, they may not be immediately connected to an airbag malfunction without a proper review.
Product liability and crashworthiness in California: who may be responsible
When injuries are linked to defective airbags, California law (Barker v. Lull Engineering Co. (1978) 20 Cal.3d 413) allows injured drivers to pursue a product liability claim. These cases focus on whether the vehicle failed to meet basic crashworthiness standards, meaning it did not provide reasonable protection during a collision.
Depending on the defect, liability may extend to:
- Automakers and vehicle manufacturers that sold the vehicle
- Manufacturers of the airbag or inflator
- Parts suppliers involved in the airbag system
Responsibility does not depend on driver error. If a safety defect caused or worsened injuries, multiple parties in the manufacturing chain may be held accountable.
What to do after an airbag malfunction following a collision
Taking the right steps after an airbag malfunction helps protect your health and your injury case.
- Seek medical care immediately
Call emergency services and get evaluated as soon as possible. Medical records help connect injuries to the collision or to an airbag malfunction, and a police-issued accident report describes the collision details without bias. - Document the scene and vehicle damage
Preserve evidence from the collision, including vehicle damage, witness accounts from the scene, and airbag deployment. This information often supports later inspection and recall review. - Arrange a vehicle inspection
Have a qualified mechanic or auto repair technician perform a vehicle inspection to document airbag failure and preserve key evidence. - Check recall information
Review the NHTSA recall database to confirm whether your vehicle is subject to an airbag recall. - Track related costs
Keep records of out-of-pocket expenses, warranty documents, medical records linking injuries to airbag deployment or failure, and any rental car reimbursement tied to vehicle damage. - Talk to a California product liability lawyer about your case
If you were injured by a defective airbag, a legal review can help determine whether a product liability lawsuit is appropriate, or if your case is best handled as a personal injury claim. The sooner you act, the easier it is to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Related read: Justin Farahi Re-Elected to 2026 Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) Board of Directors
Frequently Asked Questions About Airbag Recalls
Yes. An illuminated airbag light may signal problems within the airbag system, including sensors or wiring issues. It should never be ignored, especially in vehicles subject to a recall.
No. While Takata Corporation recalls are well known, investigations have also involved ARC Automotive Inc. and other inflator manufacturers linked to safety defects.
Yes. Over the years, recalls have involved vehicles from Ford, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, and models like the Hyundai Sonata, depending on the airbag inflator used.
Yes. Inadvertent deployment occurs when airbags deploy without a collision, often due to electrical or inflator defects, and can cause serious injuries and property damage.
Protecting Your Health and Compensation
Defective airbags can turn a routine car accident into a serious injury case. When recalls involve safety defects, manufacturers and parts suppliers may be held accountable under product liability law. Acting early helps preserve evidence, document injuries, and protect your ability to seek compensation for medical care, vehicle damage, and out-of-pocket expenses.
If you or a loved one were injured in a collision involving faulty airbags, don’t wait to understand your options.
Contact the https://share.google/3KUwGMl1ncYwo6Ioa today for a free case evaluation. We work on a contingency fee and fight for The Medical Treatment You Need and the Money You Deserve.
