They also urged the air bag manufacturer to make public any data related to Takata’s testing of air bags so independent experts and analysts can review it. In addition, ammonium nitrate could become combustible if it is exposed to high-moisture conditions. While no one was hurt, it was the first such incident for the German automaker and the first known rupture of a side air bag. Until now, only driver’s and passenger’s side air bags were under scrutiny. About 32 million vehicles have been recalled in the U.S., and the devices are linked to eight deaths and 130 injuries.
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Another chapter in the Takata airbag scandal opened yesterday with the revelation that an airbag in a 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan had exploded after the auto hit a deer.
According to an earlier-this-week disclosure by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the agency has initiated an investigation into the rupture of a side airbag in a 2015 model Volkswagen Tiguan in June this year. Last week it sent orders to Takata and VW seeking information on the crash. Deadline for a reply is August. 24.
The agency had asked Takata in June to list the companies in North America that it supplies with inflators containing ammonium nitrate propellant.
VW spokesman Mark Gillies said the company is working with NHTSA and Takata to better understand the situation. Takata’s replacement air bag inflators also use the compound. He said he didn’t know how many other VW vehicles have Takata air bags or for how long the company has used Takata air bags.
Jared Levy, a spokesman for Takata, said that the company is involved with the NHTSA in the investigation of the incident, with Levy adding that it is believed to be unrelated to the previously issued recalls.
Takata uses ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion and quickly inflate air bags. Takata says most of the problems have happened in areas with high humidity, mainly along the U.S. Gulf Coast. That recall was ordered in May.
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The investigation raises the question on whether or not Volkswagen vehicles are equipped with faulty Takata air bags and if the automaker should be included in the massive recall.
