With potential defects, Joyson airbags are investigated by NHTSA

According to foreign media reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating certain airbag components produced by the component supplier Joyson Safety Systems because these components are defective. It may cause the airbag to fail to deploy normally in an accident.

NHTSA stated that 256,181 passenger side airbag modules produced by Joyson may be affected. A document submitted by the agency shows that the investigation began on April 7. NHTSA stated that there is no known damage caused by the defect. A Joyson spokesperson told Automotive News that the company is not yet aware of any instances of performance failures related to the recall.

(Image source: Joyson)

Since 2019, Joyson’s airbag components have become the source of multiple recalls. The replacement airbag cushions may fold incorrectly, which may delay or prevent the deployment of the airbag. Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, General Motors, and Nissan have previously issued recall notices on Joyson’s airbag components, stating that the replaced airbags may not be able to be opened as designed in the accident.

The vehicles recalled by Toyota and GM in 2019 and 2020 respectively are equipped with specific Takata front passenger side airbag components, which contain a replacement inflator produced by Joyson, which was previously Installed as a replacement in the recall. Nissan Motor had previously recalled Takata airbags, and then replaced them with Joyson passenger side airbag components and issued a recall.

NHTSA stated that the purpose of questioning Joyson’s airbag components is to inform Joyson and other companies that may have purchased equipment from Joyson that this defect may exist in the vehicles they produce, and to ensure that it is necessary A thorough safety recall is carried out at the time.

In 2018, Joyson, formerly known as Key Safety Systems, acquired the collapsed airbag manufacturer Takata for US$1.6 billion. Takata carried out the largest safety recall in the history of the automotive industry due to an airbag defect, which caused at least 25 deaths and approximately 300 injuries. Approximately 100 million airbag inflators supplied to 19 automakers have been recalled worldwide, of which approximately 60 million are in the United States.