GM Given Time to Prove Takata Airbags Not Faulty

Earlier this year, General Motors (GM) announced a preliminary recall for 1.9 million vehicles with Takata airbag inflators. But then, a couple months later, they decided that recalling some of those vehicles wasn't necessary. Researchers have found a combination of age, moisture, and high temperatures can make the ammonium nitrate inside of Takata airbag inflators unstable, causing them to explode in a dangerous way.

"[GM's] petition says the inflator in a GM vehicle is different than what is found in cars from other automakers, primarily because of how the inflator is packed in the instrument panel to protect the ammonium nitrate from moisture.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has two words for GM – and unfortunately not the ones you're probably thinking – prove it.

If the automaker can prove by August 31, 2017 that their passenger-side inflators are safe, they won't be required to issue a recall for 2.5 million vehicles.

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Which Chevy Vehicles Have Dangerous Takata Airbags?

A large number of Chevy vehicles have been recalled because they contain dangerous airbag inflators made by Takata. The shrapnel-hurling inflators have been recalled in over 37 million vehicles (and counting).