What you need to know about the Takata air bag recall
May 20, 2015, 1:36 PM
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, left, accompanied by NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind, talks about the Takata air bag inflator recall, Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at the Transportation Department in Washington. Air bag maker Takata Corp. has agreed to declare 33.8 million of its inflator mechanisms defective, effectively doubling the number of cars and trucks that have been recalled in the U.S. so far. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
DETROIT (AP) — A recall of air bags made by Japanese auto parts supplier Takata Corp. now has the dubious distinction of being the largest in U.S. history.
The number of vehicles in the U.S. being recalled because of the defective air bags is doubling to 34 million, safety regulators said Tuesday.
Here are some facts about the recall:
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Q: What is wrong with Takata air bags?
A: The driver and passenger-side air bags can inflate with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and sending shards flying at drivers and passengers. The defect has caused at least six deaths and more than 100 injuries worldwide. Takata, automakers and the government are still trying to pinpoint the cause of the problem, but are prioritizing repairs in humid climates, because Takata believes longtime exposure to high humidity can be a factor.
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Q: Which automakers are involved and how many cars are affected?
A: Honda has the most vehicles equipped with Takata air bags. Dozens of models made by BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Saab, Subaru and Toyota dating to the 2001 model year are also affected.
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Q: How do I find out if my car is affected and, if so, what should I do?
A: If your car’s air bag is being recalled, you should receive a recall notice from the automaker. Automakers also have recall home pages with information for customers. Or, you can go to the government’s Takata page, http://www.safercar.gov/rs/takata/index.html , and key in your vehicle identification number, which normally is printed on the registration and stamped on the dashboard. It could take a few weeks or longer for the latest recalled vehicles to appear on the websites. You can also call your dealer. Dealers will replace the air bags for free as parts are available.
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Q: Will there be enough parts to get my car fixed?
A: At current production rates, it would take about 2
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