In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and General Motors have opened an investigation into a crash involving a 2010 GMC Sierra, during which a passenger was injured when the airbag ruptured as it deployed.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the vehicle had an open recall tied to defective Takata airbags. Investigators are looking into whether the system operated correctly and whether the airbag installed was an original Takata component or a replacement inflator. Details of the incident, including the date and location, have not yet been confirmed.

GM said it has not yet gained access to the specific vehicle and considers it premature to draw conclusions before inspecting it. A recall for certain GMC Sierra trucks over Takata airbag issues was announced in 2021.

NHTSA reminded the public that unrepaired Takata airbags pose an immediate danger. According to the agency, there have been 28 confirmed U.S. deaths linked to these defects. The Wall Street Journal estimates at least 12 fatalities from 2015 to 2024. Only about half of the GM vehicles covered by the recall have been repaired.

For drivers—especially those in older models—this case reinforces how critical it is to check for open recalls and arrange repairs promptly. The long-running Takata problem remains a live concern, and incomplete recall work leaves too much to chance.