Air bags fail causing deaths
Recently, air bags failed in cars manufactured by Hyundai and Kia, causing 4 deaths. The United States government’s road safety agency is investigating.
In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is also investigating problems that involve some 425,000 vehicles made by the two Korean vehicle companies. The agency is concerned whether other cars in the company’s line up could also be affected.
The agency is investigating the 2011 Hyundai Sonata and the 2012 and 2013 Kia Forte. The agency has under investigation six front end collisions where there was significant damage to the vehicles. In those cases, 4 individuals were killed and six were hurt.
The probien has been linked to electrical circuit shorts in air bag control computers made by parts supplier ZF-TRW. The agency is investigating whether other car manufacturers have used this same computer.
Back in late February 2018, Hyundai recalled approximately 155,000 Sonatas over concerns about the possibility of the air bags failing. Kia has not issued a recall of their vehicles in question.
If you own one of the vehicles in question, and specifically the model year at issue, you should immediately contact the car dealer where you purchased the vehicle to find out if your air bags and the on board vehicle computer need to be immediately replaced.
