Based on continued investigation, the government has called for a nationwide recall of vehicles fit with certain Takata driver’s side frontal air bags. The initial wide-reaching recall had focused on particular regions with high humidity, but now the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has expanded the scope, while also demanding more detailed information from the supplier and its automaker partners: BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota.
The bulk of the original recall focused on passenger-side air bags, with some driver’s side bags in select models. NHTSA says the expansion of the recall stems from a recent investigation into a vehicle with a driver’s side air bag failure that occurred outside of the regional recall area.
The agency has contacted the supplier, Takata, and the vehicle manufacturers, asking that they expand the recall immediately. According to a statement, if Takata or the automakers do not respond, NHTSA will be forced to “use the full extent of its statutory powers to ensure vehicles that use the same or similar air bag inflator are recalled.”
"We had raised concerns with NHTSA about the limited nature of the recalls, so we are pleased to see the scope of the recalls is being expanded,” said Ellen Bloom, senior director of federal policy for Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports. “However, there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that all drivers and passengers are safe."
Learn more in “Everything You Need to Know About the Takata Air Bag Recall.”
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