Automakers, gov’t to reveal models in expanded Takata recall
May 28, 2015, 10:54 AM
DETROIT (AP) — Automakers and governments are announcing additional models covered by last week’s massive expansion of a Takata air bag recall.
Manufacturers, as well as Canadian and U.S. safety regulators are posting documents that spell out vehicles being recalled for air bag inflators that can explode with too much force, spewing shrapnel into the passenger compartment.
Six people have been killed and more than 100 injured due to the problem.
Last week the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that Takata of Japan agreed to double the number of inflators it recalled to 33.8 million. But the makes and models were not available. The increase made it the largest auto recall in U.S. history, according to the agency.
The best way to tell if your car or truck is being recalled is to key in the vehicle identification number at https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/. The number is stamped on the driver’s side of the dashboard near the windshield and also is on many state registration cards. Automakers are still posting recall information by number, and the task may take several days or even weeks. So it’s wise to keep checking periodically.
These models and numbers were released Thursday by manufacturers and U.S. and Canadian safety regulators. The recalled vehicles include driver and passenger air bags. Some could overlap with previous recalls:
— Honda Motor Co.: Adds 350,000 vehicles in U.S. including 2005 Civics and 2006-2007 Accords. No vehicles added in Canada, where 705,000 were recalled previously. Vehicles now covered include 2001-2007 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2002-2006 CR-V, 2003-2011 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2008 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, 2002-2003 Acura TL, 2003 Acura CL, 2005 Acura RL.
— Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.: Total number added unknown, but expansion brings total affected to 5.2 million globally. Models include 2003 Ram 1500/2500/3500, 2005-2009 Ram 2500 Pickup, 2004-2008 Ram 1500 Pickup, 2006-2009 Ram 3500 Pickup, 2007-2009 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500/5500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 Sterling 4500/5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300/300C/SRT8, 2005-2010 Dodge Charger/Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2006-2010 Mitsubishi Raider.
— BMW AG: Adds about 280,000 vehicles in U.S. including 2002-2005 325i/325xi/330i/330xi, 2002-2005 325xi/325i Sports Wagon, 2002-2006 330Ci/325Ci/M3 Convertible, 2002-2006 325i/330i/M3 Coupe, 2002-2003 M5/540i/525i/530i, 2002-2003 540i/525i Sports Wagon, 2003-2004 X5 3.0i/4.4i Sports Activity Vehicle. U.S. total in recall is nearly 421,000.
— Ford Motor Co.: 63,700 Mustang and GT models in Canada from 2005-2014 for driver’s side inflators. Also 29,458 Ranger pickups for front passenger inflators from 2004-2006. U.S. numbers not released yet.
Eleven automakers have vehicles included in the Takata recall. Other companies include General Motors, Daimler Trucks, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota. A spokesman for Nissan Motor Co. said his company wouldn’t have any additional vehicles in the latest recall expansion.
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Auto Writer Dee-Ann Durbin contributed.
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