Airbags Studies and Reports

Takata is recalling 1.4 million Non-Azide Driver airbag inflators (NADI).

The inflators were used in some brands of model year 1995-2000 vehicles and do not contain phase stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant.

Due to a manufacturing issue, the NADI inflators may absorb moisture, causing the inflators to rupture or the airbag cushion to underinflate.

In a crash necessitating airbag deployment, an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants.

Additionally, an underinflated air bag may not properly protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

What to do

Takata will be working with vehicle manufacturers to determine into which vehicles the affected inflators were installed either as original or replacement equipment during service.

As this work progresses, numerous vehicle recalls will likely be announced by the affected vehicle manufacturers.

The recall is expected to begin on January 24, 2020.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 928,203 of the following vehicles:

• Model year 2010-2016 4Runners
• Model year 2003-2006 Tundras
• Model year 2003-2013 Corollas
• Model year 2009-2010 Corolla Matrixs
• Model year 2004-2005 RAV4s
• Model year 2002-2007 Sequoias
• Model year 2011-2013 Siennas
• Model year 2008-2012 Scion xBs
• Model year 2008-2009 Lexus IS-Fs
• Model year 2007-2012 Yaris &Lexus ES350s
• Model year 2010-2017 Lexus GX460s
• Model year 2002-2010 Lexus SC430s
• Model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS250s & IS350s and
• Model year 2010-2015 Lexus IS250Cs & IS350Cs.
• These vehicles had their driver or passenger front airbag inflators replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
• An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

• What to do

• Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the driver or front passenger airbag inflator or the airbag assembly using an alternate inflator free of charge.
• The recall is expected to begin November 15, 2019.
• Owners may contact Toyota customer service at (888) 270-9371 or Lexus customer service at (800)255-3987.
• Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0A, J0B, and J0C. Lexus' numbers for this recall are JLI, JLJ, and JLK.

BMW of North America is recalling 3,924 model year 2000-2002 325i & 325xi Sedan, and 323Ci, 325Ci and 330Ci Convertible vehicles.

This recall affects vehicles that may have had a driver-side airbag module installed as replacement equipment such as after a crash necessitating replacement of the original airbag, or as a remedy part for a prior recall.

The front airbag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the driver's air bag module free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 25, 2019.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at (800) 525-7417.

Toyota is conducting the final phase of the safety recall involving Takata airbag inflators.

The recall involves approximately, 928,000 including:

• Model year 2003-2013 Corollas,
• Model year 2009-2010 Corolla Matrixs,
• Model year 2008-2012 Scion xBs,
• Model year 2002-2007 Sequoias,
• Model year 2011-2013 Siennas,
• Model year 2010-2016 4Runners,
• Model year 2004-2005 RAV4s,
• Model year 2003-2006 Tundras,
• Model year 2007-2012 Yaris,
• Model year 2007-2012 Year Lexus ES 350s,
• Model year 2010-2017 Lexus GX 460s,
• Model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS 250/IS 350s,
• Model year 2010-2015 Lexus IS 250C/IS 350Cs,
• Model year 2008-2009 Lexus IS Fs and
• Model year 2002-2010 Lexus SC 430s.

The recalled vehicles were repaired under a previous Takata airbag inflator recall with non-desiccated phase stabilized ammonium nitrate front passenger or driver airbag inflators produced by Takata, because final remedy inflators were not yet available.

This is known as a “like for like” repair. The previously installed inflators will now be replaced by inflators produced by other suppliers.

What to do

Toyota will notify owners and, depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger or driver airbag inflator, or the airbag assembly at no cost to owners.

The recall is expected to being in mid-December, 2019.

Owners may call Toyota at (800) 331-4331 or Lexus at (800) 255-3987

In what it says should be the last of the recalls associated with the Takata airbag issues, American Honda Motor Co. recently announced the recall of 1.6 million cars in the U.S.

The following makes model years and models are included in the recall:

• Model year 2009-2014 Acura TSXs 
• Model year 2011-2014 TSX Sport Wagons 
• Model year 2010-2013 ZDXs 
• Model year 2001-2012 Honda Accords
• Model year 2010-2011 Accord Crosstours
• Model year 2001-2011 Civics and Civic Hybrids
• Model year 2001-2005 and 2008-2010 Civic GX NGVs
• Model year 2012-2015 Crosstours, 
• Model year 2002-2011 CR-Vs
• Model year 2007-2013 Fits
• Model year 2013-2014 Fit Evs
• Model year 2010-2014 Insights
• Model year 2003-2015 Pilots 
• Model year 2003-2006 Acura MDXs
• Model year 2005-2012 Rls
• Model year 2003-2011 Elements
• Model year 2002-2004 Odysseys
• Model year 2006-2014 Ridgelines 
• Model year 2013 Acura ILXs
• Model year 2015 RDXs
• Model year 2009-2014 Tls
• Model year 2010 and 2012 ZDXs
• Model year 2011-2013 and 2015 CR-Zs
• Model year 2003 Acura 3.2CLs
• Model year 2002-2003 3.2TLs

What to do

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. 

The recall is expected to begin August 12, 2019.

Owners may contact Honda customer service at (888) 234-2138.

American Honda Motor Co., is recalling 1,108,939 of the following vehicles:

• model year 2003 Acura 3.2CLs,
• model year 2013-2016 ILXs,
• model year 2013-2014 ILX Hybrids,
• model year 2003-2006 MDXs,
• model year 2007-2016 RDXs,
• model year 2002-2003 3.2TLs,
• model year 2004-2006, and 2009-2014 TLs,
• model year 2010-2013 ZDXs,
• model year 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accords,
• model year 2001-2005 Civics,
• model year 2003-2005 Civic Hybrids,
• model year 2001-2005 Civic GX NGVs,
• model year 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 CR-Vs,
• model year 2003-2011 Elements,
• model year 2007 Fits,
• model year 2002-2004 Odysseys,
• model year 2003-2008 Pilots, and
• model year2006-2014 Ridgelines.

The vehicles received a replacement driver airbag inflator as part of a previous Takata inflator recall remedy or a replacement driver air bag module containing the same inflator type as a service part.

Due to a manufacturing error, in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver front airbag, these inflators may explode.

An explosion of an inflator within the driver front airbag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's airbag inflator free of charge.

Owners will be notified of the recall beginning on April 17, 2019; however, dealers are ready to begin repairs immediately.

Honda owners may contact customer service at (888) 234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is O41. Acura owners may contact customer service at the same number. Acura's number for this recall is U40.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 288,779 of the following vehicles:

• Model year 2014 C250s, C300 4Matics, C350s, C63 AMGs, E350 4Matic Coupes, E350 Cabrios, E350 Coupes, SLS AMG Cabrios, SLS AMG Coupes, model year 2014-2015 C250 Coupes, C350 4Matic Coupes, C350 Coupes, C63 AMG Coupes, GLK 350s, GLK250 BlueTec 4Matics, GLK350 RWDs, model year 2015-2017 E400 4Matic Coupes, E400 Cabrios, E400 Coupes, 2014-2017 E550 Cabrios, and model year 2014-2016 E550 Coupes sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands – or "Zone A."
• Model year 2012-2014 C250s, E350 4Matic Coupes, SLS AMG Cabrios, model year 2012-2015 C250 Coupes, C350 4Matic Coupes, C350 Coupes, C63 AMG Coupes, 2011 C300s, model year 2011-2014 C300 4Matics, C350s, C63 AMGs, E350 Cabrios, E350 Coupes, SLS AMG Coupes, model year 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupes, E400 Cabrios, E400 Coupes, model year 2011-2016 E550 Cabrios, E550 Coupes, model year 2011-2015 GLK350 4Matics, GLK350 RWDs, and model year 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matics ever registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia – or "Zone B."
• Model year 2012-2014 C250s, E350 4Matic Coupes, SLS AMG Cabrios, model year 2012-2015 C250 Coupes, C350 4Matic Coupes, C350 Coupes, C63 AMG Coupes, model year 2010-2011 C300s, model year 2010-2014 C300 4Matics, C350s, C63 AMGs, E350 Coupes, model year 2011-2014 E350 Cabrios, SLS AMG Coupes, model year 2015-2016 E400 4Matic Coupes, E400 Cabrios, E400 Coupes, model year 2016-2017 E550 Cabrios, model year 2010-2016 E550 Coupes, model year 2010-2015 GLK350 4Matics, GLK350 RWDs, and model year 2013-2015 GLK250 BlueTec 4Matics ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming – or "Zone C."

The vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the passenger or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge.

An interim letter is being mailed from February 1, 2019, through March 8, 2019. A second letter will be sent when parts are available.

Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

BMW of North America is recalling 170,148 model year 2000-2003 525i Sedans, 530i Sedans, 540i Sedans, 525i Sports Wagons & 540i Sports Wagons, and model year 2000-2004 X5 SAV 3.0i, X5 SAV 4.4i, and X5 SAV 4.6is vehicles.

The recall applies to vehicles where the original steering wheel has been replaced with the optional sports steering wheel.

The sports steering wheel has a front airbag inflator that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for an optional sports steering wheel with an affected inflator. Dealers will replace the airbag module as necessary, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin March 4, 2019.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling nearly 1.3 million vehicles including:

Model year 2014-2016 Toyota 4Runners, model year 2014-2015 Scion xBs, Lexus IS350Cs, IS250Cs, model year 2014 Toyota Siennas, Lexus IS-Fs, and model year 2014-2017 Lexus GX460s sold, or ever registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands – or "Zone A."

Model year 2011-2013 Toyota Corollas, Corolla Matrixs, Lexus IS250s, IS350s, model year 2011-2016 4Runners, model year 2011-2015 Scion xBs, Lexus IS350Cs, IS250Cs, model year 2011-2014 Toyota Siennas, Lexus IS-Fs, model year 2011-2017 Lexus GX460s, and model year 2011-2012 Lexus ES350s ever registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia – or "Zone B."

Model year 2010-2013 Toyota Corollas, Corolla Matrixs, Lexus IS350s, model year 2010-2016 4Runners, model year 2010-2013 Lexus IS250s, model year 2010-2015 Scion xBs, Lexus IS350Cs, IS250Cs, model year 2010-2017 Lexus GX460s, model year 2010-2014 Lexus IS-Fs, and model year 2010-2012 Lexus ES350s ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming – or "Zone C."

The vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger airbag inflator, or replace the airbag assembly.

The recall was expected to begin February 11, 2019.

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at (800) 331-4331.

Toyota's codes for this recall are "Zone A" Toyota: G0P, Lexus: GLG; "Zone B" Toyota: G0R, Lexus GLH; "Zone C" Toyota: H0A, and Lexus: HLA.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 1,413,222 model year 2010 Dodge Ram 3500s, Ram 4500s/5500s, model year 2010-2011 Dodge Dakotas, model year 2010-2014 Dodge Challengers, model year 2010-2015 Dodge Challengers, Chrysler 300s, and model year 2010-2016 Jeep Wranglers.

Excessive internal pressure may cause the driver's front airbag inflator to explode upon deployment.

An exploding inflator could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front airbag inflator, free of charge.

The recall began February 4, 2019.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V01.

Ford Motor Company is recalling the following 782,384 vehicles:

Model year 2014 Ford Mustangs sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands -- or "Zone A."

Model year 2011 Ford Rangers and Mercury Milans;, model year 2011-2012 Ford Fusions and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZs; and model year 2011-2014 Ford Mustangs sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia -- or "Zone B."

Model year 2010 Ford Edges and Lincoln MKXs, model year 2010-2011 Ford Rangers and Mercury Milans, model year 2010-2012 Ford Fusion and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZs, and model year 2010-2014 Ford Mustangs sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming -- or "Zone C."

The vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original airbags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front airbag inflator, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin February 18, 2019.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall 19S01.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling an estimated 1.4 million vehicles in the U.S.

Due to a defect linked to temperature cycling, humidity and time, passenger-side airbag inflators may -- on deployment -- send shrapnel into the vehicle cabin.

To date, the automaker has replaced more than 4 million Takata inflators. However, its inventory of replacement parts has outpaced demand for service.

The following vehicles are being recalled:

• model year 2010 Ram 3500 pickup
• model year 2010 Ram 4500/5500 chassis cab
• model year 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota pickup
• model year 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger sport coupe
• model year 2011-2015 Dodge Charger sedan
• model year 2010-2015 Chrysler 300 sedan and
• model year 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler SUV

Vehicles of the same type will be recalled in Canada (est. 88,830), Mexico (12,821) and markets outside the NAFTA region (118,084).

What to do

Chrysler will advise owners of the recalled vehicles when they may schedule service.

Owners with questions or concerns may call the Chrysler recall information center at (800) 853-1403.

Toyota is adding approximately 1.3 million vehicles to the series of recalls it has been conducting in connection with Takata airbag inflators.

The recalled vehicles are equipped with front passenger airbag inflators containing a non-desiccated, phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate propellant. A defect related to motor vehicle safety may arise in the inflators due to propellant degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Activation of a non-desiccated ammonium nitrate inflator with degraded propellant may result in an airbag inflator rupture. If a defective airbag inflator ruptures, it may cause sharp metal fragments to pass through the airbag and spray directly at the driver and passengers, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

The following vehicles are being recalled:

• model year 2010-2016 4Runners
• model year 2010-2013 Corollas
• model year 2010-2013 Matrixes
• model year 2011-2014 Siennas,
• model year 2010-2015 Scion XBs,
• model year 2010-2012 Lexus ES 350s
• model year 2010-2017 Lexus GX 460s
• model year 2010-2015 Lexus IS 250Cs
• model year 2010-2015 Lexus IS 350Cs
• model year 2010-2013 Lexus IS 250s
• model year 2010-2013 Lexus IS 350s and
• model year 2010-2014 Lexus IS-Fs.

What to do

Depending on the vehicle model, Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace either the front passenger airbag inflator or airbag assembly at no cost to owners.

Owners of all involved vehicles will receive direct notification starting in late January 2019.

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at (800) 331-4331and Lexus customer service at (800) 255-3987.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 169,481 model year 2002-2005 Lexus SCs and Toyota Sequoias, model year 2003-2005 Toyota Corollas and Tundras, and model year 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibes.

The vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger front airbag, the inflators may explode due to propellant degradation.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

This recall includes vehicles that have had their airbag previously replaced under an earlier recall.

What to do

Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners.

Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger airbag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the airbag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin January 14, 2019.

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at (888) 270-9371, Lexus customer service at (800) 255-3987 or Pontiac customer service at (800) 762-2737.

Ford Motor Company is expanding its earlier recall on vehicles with certain passenger front airbag inflators after Takata declared those inflators defective.

A total of approximately 953,000 vehicles have been added to this expansion, including 782,384 in the U.S. and federalized territories and 149,652 in Canada.

Among the vehicles added to the recall are:

• 2010 Ford Edge and 2010 Lincoln MKX vehicles built at Oakville Assembly Plant, November 28, 2008, to July 12, 2010
• 2010-11 Ford Ranger vehicles built at Twin Cities, August 14, 2008, to June 21, 2014
• 2010-12 Ford Fusion, 2010-12 Lincoln MKZ and 2010-11 Mercury Milan vehicles built at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, July 3, 2008, to July 29, 2012
• 2010-14 Ford Mustang vehicles built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, June 8, 2009, to December 16, 2011

What to do

Dealers will replace the passenger frontal airbag inflator or module at no cost to the customer.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S01.

A federal court has approved Ford’s nearly $300 million settlement of the Takata airbag defect.

U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno in Miami granted final approval to the settlement deal that will allow the automaker to put the Takata issue behind it.

The deal is essentially the same as the one receiving preliminary approval in September. Under its terms, Ford will inform affected owners that their cars should be repaired using U.S. mail, email, telephone, advertising, and even in-person visits.

The settlement provides for reimbursement for documented expenses relating to the airbag recall and up to $500 of undocumented expenses.

In an email to ConsumerAffairs, Peter Prieto of Podhurst Orseck P.A., court-appointed chair lead counsel for the plaintiffs, said he’s pleased the judge has approved the settlement.

“This agreement will save lives by accelerating the removal of dangerous airbag inflators while compensating consumers for economic losses associated with the recall,” Prieto said. “We will continue to vigorously prosecute the cases against the remaining defendants to ensure that our class members receive the recovery they deserve."

Lethal airbags

Ford becomes the seventh car company to settle the Takata issue. Four carmakers, including General Motors and Mercedes-Benz, have yet to reach a settlement.

The Takata airbag, widely used in cars and trucks, was found to be lethal in 2016 when the inflators ruptured on deployment, spraying vehicle occupants with small bits of metal. At least 12 deaths in the U.S. have been linked to the exploding airbags.

The defective airbags are found mostly in older vehicles manufactured during the previous decade. After more than two years of recalls, however, many of these dangerous vehicles have not been repaired, either because owners are unaware of the problem or because of a shortage of parts.

2006 Ford Rangers

Ford issued a “Do Not Drive” memorandum earlier this year for 2006 Ford Rangers pick-ups but was hampered by a lack of parts to repair them. The automaker, under increasing pressure from safety advocates, later offered dealers $1,000 for every Ranger it could find with a defective airbag.

Consumers still driving a vehicle with a Takata airbag, along with their passengers, are in danger. Not only could a minor fender bender cause a fatal airbag deployment, the inflators can explode in hot and humid conditions, such as those found in parts of Florida and Texas.

The government maintains a database of affected vehicles. If you haven’t already checked to see if your car or truck is among those subject to the recall, you can do so here.

Toyota is recalling about 65,000 Toyota model year 2003-2005 Model Year Corollas, model year 2002-2005 Sequoias, model year 2003-2005 Tundras and model year 2002-2005 Lexus SCs.

The vehicles were subject to previous recalls where front passenger airbag inflators were replaced with new Takata-produced, non-desiccated airbag inflators as a remedy.

A safety defect may arise in the Takata inflators due to propellant degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity and high temperature cycling.

Activation of such inflators may result in an airbag inflator rupture, causing sharp metal fragments to pass through the airbag and spray directly at the driver and passengers, increasing the risk of serious injury or death.

What to do

Toyota dealers will replace the front passenger airbag inflator or the airbag assembly with an improved one produced by non-Takata suppliers at no cost.

The recall is expected to begin in early January 2019

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at (800) 331-4331 and Lexus customer service at (800) 255-3987.

Mazda North American Operations is recalling a total of 394 vehicles.

The include model year 2011 Mazda RX-8s sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Also included are model year 2010-2011 RX-8s registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

These vehicles are equipped with certain airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger front airbag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 12, 2018.

Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 2918J.

Mazda North American Operations is recalling 155,436 model year 2014-2015 Mazda CX-9s sold, or ever registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A."

Additionally, unless covered in "Zone A," Mazda is recalling model year 2011-2013 Mazda6s, 2011-2012 CX-7s, and model year 2011-2015 CX-9s sold, or ever registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, or "Zone B."

Finally, unless covered in Zone A or Zone B, Mazda is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 Mazda6s, 2010-2012 CX-7s, and model year 2010-2015 CX-9s ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."

These vehicles are equipped with certain airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger front airbag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger airbag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 12, 2018.

Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500, Option 4. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F.

Ferrari Ferrari North America has expanded an earlier recall of 1,073 model year 2013 California, 458 Italia, 458 Spider, FF, and F12 Berlinetta vehicles sold, or ever registered in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to include an additional 826 of those vehicles.

The vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front air bag modules used as original or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger front airbag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front airbag assembly, free of charge.

The recall began March 1, 2018 for the original population. The recall will begin in June 2018 for the expanded population.

Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-866-551-2828. Ferrari's number for this recall is 63.

Kia Motors America is recalling 507,587 model year 2010-2013 Kia Fortes & Forte Koups, model year 2011-2013 Kia Optimas, and model year 2011-2012 Kia Optima Hybrids & Sedonas.

The airbag control unit may short circuit, preventing the front airbags and seat belt pretensioners from deploying in the event of a crash.

If the front airbags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.

What to do

The remedy for this recall is still under development.

The recall is planned to begin on July 27, 2018.

Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC165.

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 51,352 model year 2009-2014 Volkswagen CCs, model year 2010-2014 Golfs, model year 2010-2011 Eos vehicles, model year 2007-2010 Passat Sedans, and model year 2007-2010 Passat Wagons.

Upon deployment of the driver's front airbag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode with metal fragments striking occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front airbag inflator free of charge.

The recall was expected to begin March 15, 2018.

Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9.

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 97,440 model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5s, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolets and S5 Cabriolets.

Upon deployment of the driver's front airbag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin February 13, 2018.

Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69R6. 

Subaru of America is recalling 93,209 model year 2009-2010 Tribecas, Imprezas, Foresters, WRXs, Legacys and Outbacks sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

The vehicles are equipped with certain airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger front airbag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An explosion of an inflator may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin February 9, 2018.

Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-18.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 317,000 of the following vehicles:

• Model year 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A."
• Model year 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B."
• Model year 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger front airbag, the airbag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin February 28, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 132,167 of the following vehicles:

• Model year 2013 C250s, C250 Coupes, C350 Coupe 4Matics, C300 4Matics, C350s, C350 Coupse, C63 AMGs, C63 Coupes, E350 Cabrios, E350 Coupes, E550 Cabrios, E350 Coupe 4Matics, E550 Coupes, GLK350 4Matics, GLK250 Bluetec 4Matics, GLK350s, SLS Coupes, SLS AMG GT Coupes, and SLS Roadsters sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A."
• Model year 2010 C300s, C300 4Matics, C63 AMGs, E350 Coupes, E550 Coupes, GLK350s, and GLK350 4Matics ever registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B."
• Model year 2009 C300s, C300 4Matics, C63 AMGs, and C350s ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger front airbag, the inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge.

Parts are currently not available.

Owners will be sent an interim notification starting in February 2018. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available.

Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

Even by the standards of the Takata airbag scandal, or the criminal case and recall currently affecting 60 million cars in the United States alone, the warning that some Ford customers received last week was particularly dire.

Nearly 3,000 Ford Rangers on the road pose “an immediate risk to safety,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on January 11.

Ford added on its own website that owners of “specific 2006 Ford Rangers” shouldn’t even drive to the dealership due to potentially explosive airbags.

“Parts are available now, and dealers are prepared to get vehicles directly from customers, make permanent repairs that will resolve the safety risk and provide a free interim loaner vehicle, if necessary,” Ford writes online.

It’s a comforting message, but one that may not be completely true. Some dealerships are saying that they don’t yet have the parts to replace airbags in the 2006 Ford Ranger, let alone a loaner vehicle for affected customers to drive while they wait.

Disconnect with dealerships

"Ford is only giving loaners out for two days, when parts start becoming available," said a worker at a dealership in Missouri, adding that the parts weren’t expected to arrive until the end of the month.

Told of this, Ford Motor Company spokesman Elizabeth Weigandt tells ConsumerAffairs that she doesn't know why a dealership would say that.

“I have no idea,” she says. "Under Recall 18S02,” or the recall asking 3,000 owners of the 2006 Ranger to stop driving immediately, “if we cannot repair your vehicle right away, we will provide you a loaner, if necessary. We want our customers to stop driving those cars."

But an employee at a dealership in Detroit, a city approximately ten miles from Ford’s corporate headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan, did not seem to know anything about Recall 18S02 or it's urgent message.

“We won't be getting parts in, probably until late March or early April,” an employee said, when asked about the 2006 Ranger and Recall 18S02 specifically. As for loaner vehicles, “it’s approved for a two-day rental,” and not any longer.

A dealership in National City, California said they did have the parts to replace the defective airbags--but no loaner vehicles. This dealership estimated that the repair would take one to two days.

Posing as an owner of an unidentified 2006 Ford Ranger, ConsumerAffairs contacted the three Ford dealerships after Ranger owners spoke up online, claiming that Ford’s private response to customers wasn’t matching its public promises.

“I don’t usually pay attention to car recalls until they say that when the airbag goes off it hurls shrapnel through your body and the car affected is a 2006 Ford Ranger and then I’m all like HEY THAT’S THE KIND OF CAR I DRIVE!” customer Ken Lanning wrote in a post on Twitter.

“So then I call the dealer and they’re all like yeah we don’t have those parts yet sooooo....”

Not all Rangers at such high risk

Part of the confusion may stem from the fact that only a small percentage of the 2006 Ford Rangers recalled for potentially explosive airbags are subject to this particular warning to stop driving immediately.

"That is a safety problem with all of those [airbag] inflators, however, these particular inflators, built on a specific day by Takata, they have an even higher risk,” Ford’s Weigandt tells ConsumerAffairs.

Regardless, she adds that all 2006 Ford Ranger owners should be able to have their airbags replaced because parts are available at dealerships. Those customers specifically affected by 18S02  just have the added benefit of a free rental car. Or they’re supposed to, anyway.

Customer commutes in recalled Ford

Jason Ruiter is making the commute on icy roads from his home in Livonia, Michigan to work in Ann Arbor in a 2006 Ford Ranger that isn’t scheduled to be repaired until January 26. When he made an appointment for the repair last week, he says his dealer told him that they could not “authorize” a loaner vehicle.

“If he received the recall notice for 18S02..then he should be receiving the loaner vehicle as necessary,” Ford’s Weigandt tells ConsumerAffairs

After getting the runaround from his dealer, Ruiter contacted a corporate customer service representative through the Ford Motor Company website. Their correspondence, which Ruiter saved and showed ConsumerAffairs, provides even less clarity.

The representative tells Ruiter that he cannot have a loaner because “rental vehicles are only being provided while the vehicle is being serviced.”

The following day, on Wednesday morning, a second Ford representative contacted Ruiter, this time with an email saying that he had been given incorrect information about which recall his truck falls under.

“I understand that this past weekend you had a chat interaction with Brandy in which you were told that your 2006 Ford Ranger is involved in Recall 18S02,” the email says. “You have been given the incorrect information…. Your 2006 Ford Ranger is NOT involved in Recall 18S02 and you may drive your vehicle.”

“Their service has been confusing,” Ruiter tells ConsumerAffairs. “And it really gives the impression that they dont give a crap about the customer.”

A complex recall

A potential factor affecting service may be the size and scale of the Takata recall and the corporation’s near-monopoly on the airbag market.

Over 125 million cars worldwide, comprising dozens of makes and models, have been recalled due to potentially explosive airbags produced by the now-bankrupt Takata corporation, causing a major repair backlog at some dealerships.  

Officials have attributed 21 deaths to the explosive airbags, the most recent one occurring in a 2006 Ford Ranger. It was the second time that a Takata airbag killed a driver in that make and model of vehicle, a finding that spurred the warning from NHTSA and Ford to prioritize it for repairs last week.

Throughout the recall, older Honda vehicles have typically been prioritized for repairs because officials say they are particularly prone to the deadly defect.

UPDATE: 

In a follow-up statement to ConsumerAffairs, Ford disputes the message that we received from dealerships. 

"Ford has not advised dealers of a two-day limit on loaners, only that loaners are pre-approved for that period as a starter," spokesperson Weigandt says via email. 

As for the Detroit dealership that said parts wouldn't arrive until March or April, Weigandt responds that "Ford is making parts for 18S02 available immediately."

"The statement regarding a two day repair is not factually correct," she adds. "Ford estimates this repair could take less than an hour."

Toyota Motor North America is expanding its recall of vehicles with Takata front passenger airbag inflators.

The recalled vehicles are equipped with a particular type of Takata inflator in which a safety defect may arise in the front passenger airbag inflators in the involved vehicles due to inflator propellant degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

This may result in an inflator rupture when the airbag deploys.

Based on the latest information from Takata, the expansion involves approximately 601,300 additional vehicles in the U.S.

The following models are included:

• 2009 – 2010 and 2013 Model Year Scion xB
• 2009 ‐ 2010 and 2013 Model Year Toyota Corolla
• 2009 – 2010 and 2013 Model Year Toyota Corolla Matrix
• 2009 – 2010 Model Year Toyota Yaris
• 2010 and 2013 Model Year Toyota 4Runner
• 2013 Model Year Toyota Sienna
• 2009 – 2010 and 2013 Model Year Lexus IS250/350
• 2010 and 2013 Model Year Lexus IS250C/350C
• 2009 – 2010 and 2013 Model Year Lexus IS‐F
• 2009 – 2010 Model Year Lexus ES350
• 2010 and 2013 Model Year Lexus GX460

What to do

Toyota will contact all known owners of the recalled vehicles by first class mail by early March.

Toyota and Lexus dealers will replace either the front passenger air bag inflator or the front passenger air bag assembly at no cost to customers.

Owners with questions may contact Toyota customer service at 1‐800‐331‐4331, or Lexus customer service at 1‐800‐255‐3987.

Bankrupt auto parts supplier Takata Corp. has recalled an additional 3.3 million potentially deadly airbag inflators, as the largest U.S. automotive recall gets even bigger.

At least 15 car companies may be equipped with the Takata airbags, including BMW, GM, Honda, Toyota, and Tesla. The company said it would work with each company to develop a remedy.

A letter from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says the recall addresses model year 2009 vehicles ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Exploding inflators

As we have previously reported, the problem with the Takata airbags lies in the inflators, assembled as part of the frontal air bag modules. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling.

When that happens, tiny bits of metal are sprayed through the vehicle cabin, much like shrapnel. The faulty inflators have been blamed for 13 deaths, the latest occurring in July when a 19 year-old woman died as the result of a minor accident that caused the airbag in her 2002 Honda to deploy.

The total number of recalls caused by the potentially dangerous airbags is now approaching 50 million and may reach as many as 70 million next year, Takata says. These vast numbers have created challenges for dealers and auto service centers. Auto manufacturers, however, urge drivers of affected cars to seek repairs as soon as possible.

20 million still not repaired

According to John Buretta, the independent monitor overseeing the recalls, at least 20 million recalled Takata airbags still had not been replaced as of mid-September.

Last July, Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) urged Honda to take "the strongest possible action to ensure that vehicles with such airbags are immediately removed from the road before more people are killed."

You can find out if your car is affected by the recalls by writing down your vehicle's VIN number and going to the U.S. government's website SaferCar.gov.

If your dealer is not able to replace the defective airbag immediately, you can ask for a loaner, but dealers are not legally obligated to provide one.

Mitsubishi Motors North America is recalling 66,001 model year 2004-2006 Lancers and Lancer Evolutions, and model year 2004 Lancer Sportbacks.

The passenger side front airbag may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Mitsubishi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger airbag inflator with a different inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 22, 2017.

Owners may contact Mitsubishi customer service at 1-888-648-7820. Mitsubishi's number for this recall is SR-17-001.

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 646 model year 2008-2012 Accords, 2010 and 2012 Accord Crosstours, 2006-2011 Civics, 2007-2011 CR-Vs, 2009-2012 Fits and Pilots, and 2010-2012 Insights that received replacement passenger front air bag inflators.

One dealership may have incorrectly installed the replacement air bag inflators.

In the event of a crash, an incorrectly installed passenger front air bag inflator may deploy the air bag improperly, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag module assembly, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 1, 2017.

Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are O07, Y0A, N06, G05, M04, Y01, and O09.

Mazda North American Operations is recalling 308,992 model year 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2004-2008 RX-8, and model year 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles.

The vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver front airbag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion and other factors -- including manufacturing variability -- that, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the airbag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front airbag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall was expected to begin September 1, 2017.

Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1417G. 

Mazda North America Operations is recalling 79,402 model year 2012 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling model year 2009 CX-7, CX-9 and Mazda6 vehicles sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Further, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Mazda is recalling model 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 sold, or ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger front air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall was expected to begin August 15, 2017.

Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. 

A 34-year-old Florida woman may be the 13th U.S. victim of shrapnel-shooting Takata airbags.

Federal safety regulators and Honda are looking into the July 19 accident in Holiday, Fla., which police say occurred when a 19-year-old driving a Pontiac Firebird turned in front of Nichol Lynn Barker, who was driving a 2002 Honda Accord, according to WFLA-TV.

The incident follows one reported earlier this month, which also occurred in Florida. Ramon V. Kuffo, 81, of Miami, was using a hammer to work on his 2001 Honda Accord when the driver's side airbag exploded.

Kuffo's car had been included in one of the many Takata recalls, but a Honda spokesperson said the recall was never completed on his car. 

The 2001 Accord has one of the most dangerous airbags, with as much as a 50 percent chance of exploding in a crash, the Associated Press reported. Florida, where the latest victims lived, is seen as Ground Zero for Takata airbags because of its high heat and humidity, which makes the defective Takata inflators more volatile.

In the latest accident, WFLA reported that the owner of the Accord was sent 10 notices about the recall, but the airbag was never replaced. 

More than 65 percent of the recalled airbags are still in service, meaning that millions of consumers are driving around with a potentially explosive device just inches from their face. 

Honda said it has adequate replacement parts and urged owners "to seek repair as soon as possible," Reuters reported, adding that older vehicles, especially 2001-2003 Honda vehicles, pose the greatest safety risk.

The Takata airbag recall is the largest in U.S. history, affecting more than 42 million vehicles, not counting another 2.7 million that were identified earlier this month. Takata recently declared bankruptcy, leaving carmakers potentially stuck for billions of dollars in recall-related expenses. 

What to do

Is your car included in the recall? You can find out by jotting down your VIN number and going to the U.S. government's website SaferCar.gov. 

If your dealer is not able to replace the defective airbag immediately, you can ask for a loaner, but dealers are not legally obligated to provide one. 

Mazda North America Operations is recalling 205,377 model year 2009-2011 Mazda6, and model year 2007-2011 CX-7 & CX-9 vehicles.

The recalled vehicles are equipped with certain airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front airbag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 24, 2017.

Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 1317F. 

There's no end in sight to the ever-growing Takata airbag recall. Federal regulators today added 2.7 million more airbags to the recall list, based on recent testing that found problems in airbags installed in newer model cars made by Ford, Nissan, and Mazda.

More than 65 percent of the 46 million airbags previously recalled are still in service, as Takata, automakers, and dealers have struggled to manufacture enough replacements and get them in the hands of dealers so they can be installed in customers' vehicles. More than 100 million are expected to be recalled eventually. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has said that it is working to replace the highest-risk airbags first and that the campaign is on track for eventual completion. 

"Could become mind-boggling"

But Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Florida), a frequent critic of Takata and NHTSA, said today's announcement further deflates his confidence in the process.

"Takata has told the public that their line of airbag inflators with moisture absorbent was safe. This recall now raises serious questions about the threat posed by all of Takata’s ammonium nitrate-based airbags," Nelson said in a statement. "If even more are found to be defective, it will take us from the biggest recall ever to something that could become mind-boggling." 

Nelson has been pressing NHTSA and Takata, which recently declared bankruptcy, to move faster. Heat and humidity are believed to make the defective airbag inflators more volatile and Nelson's state is more hot and humid than most.

At least 17 deaths worldwide, including 11 in the U.S., have been linked to the airbags, as have 180 injuries. 

The latest recalls will affect:

• 627,000 Nissan Versas from the 2007-2012 model years;
• 2.2 million Fords, models and years so far unknown; and 
• 6,000 B-series Mazda trucks.

Each automaker will issue official recalls once it has identified the vehicles equipped with the affected airbag inflators.

Four automakers have agreed to pay $553 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of owners of 16 million vehicles that were recalled because they contained potentially defective Takata airbag inflators.

The inflators can explode with excessive force and spew small shards of metal into the passenger compartment, injuring or killing occupants. At least 16 deaths and more than 180 injuries have been blamed on the inflators worldwide.

Toyota is paying the biggest share of the settlement, $278 million, followed by BMW, Mazda, and Subaru. The companies said they settled because of the scope and severity of the recall, but they did not admit fault. Takata itself was not a party in the case, and other automakers still face similar suits. 

The settlement includes an outreach program to contact owners; compensation for consumers' economic losses including out-of-pocket expenses; rental cars for some owners; and a customer support program for repairs and adjustments, including an extended warranty.

Largest recall ever

It's just one chapter in the massive recall -- the largest ever -- that began around 2008 and which covers about 100 million inflators around the world used in vehicles made by 19 automakers.

Automakers have so far recalled -- but not necessarily replaced -- 46 million Takata inflators in 29 million cars in the United States. By 2019, the total is expected to approach 70 million inflators in 42 million cars. 

In January, Takata agreed to plead guilty to U.S. charges of criminal wrongdoing and to pay $1 billion to resolve a federal investigation into its inflators. The majority of the air bag-related fatalities and injuries have occurred in the United States.

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 37,421 model year 2003 Accord Coupes equipped with a four-cylinder engine.

If the passenger front airbag module has been replaced, such as after a crash necessitating airbag deployment, the replacement airbag module may include a Takata airbag inflator.

These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to lower absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any Takata inflator used in the passenger front airbag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 1, 2017.

Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is KF0.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 51 model year 2016 AMG GT-S, GLC300, CLA250 and GLE300d 4Matic vehicles; 2013 C250, E350 BlueTec and G63 AMG vehicles; 2008-2014 C300 vehicles; 2013-2014 C300 4Matic and ML350 4Matic vehicles; 2009 C350 vehicles; 2014 CLS550, E350 4Matic, E350 Coupe 4Matic, E350 Wagon 4Matic, GLK350 and SL550 vehicles; 2012 CLS550 4Matic vehicles; 2012-2016 E350 vehicles; 2016-2017 GL450 4Matic vehicles; 2012-2014 ML350 4Matic BlueTec vehicles; 2015 S550, S550 4Matic and C300 4Matic Sedan vehicles; 2015-2016 C300 Sedan vehicles; and 2017 SL63 AMG vehicles.

Various control units on the recalled vehicles may have been updated with incorrect software, potentially affecting the correct deployment of the air bags in the event of a crash.

If the air bags do not deploy as intended, there would be an increased risk of injury.

What to do

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will update software in the affected control units, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin in April 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

It was nearly two years ago that some automakers began recalling cars equipped with defective Takata airbags that are in danger of spraying metal fragments through the passenger compartment when they deploy.

Since then, more than 42 million vehicles from 19 different automakers have been recalled and at least 11 people in the U.S. have been killed by the flying metal fragments.

California civic leaders, alarmed that millions of unrepaired recalled vehicles are still on state highways, have banded together to add urgency to the recall.

They say Southern California leads the nation in defective airbag deaths. They say the risk is especially high in that region because of warm weather, which is a factor that increases the defect in the airbag inflator. The initiative, called Airbag Recall: Southern California, is trying to spread the word in Southern California that if you are driving a car with one of these airbags, you need to take advantage of the free repair.

Putting lives at risk

"Airbags save lives, but defective ones are a hazard that puts our loved ones at risk," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. "We have to give people the information they need to protect themselves and their families."

Federal transportation officials say the airbags with the greatest risk are in certain 2001-2003 Hondas and Acuras, with as high as a 50% chance of exploding upon deployment.

The affected models include the 2001 and 2002 Honda Civic, the 2001 and 2002 Honda Accord, the 2002 and 2003 Acura TL, the 2002 Honda Odyssey, the 2002 Honda CR-V, the 2003 Acura CL, and the 2003 Honda Pilot.

The Honda risk

Honda is participating in the initiative, releasing a statement urging drivers of its affected models to check their vehicle identification number (VIN). If it's a recalled vehicle and the repair has not been made, the company says consumers should go to a Honda dealer for the free recall repairs immediately. The company says replacement parts, which were in short supply early in the recall, are now plentiful.

Owners of these vehicles may also schedule a repair by calling Honda at 1-888-234-2138.

Honda says consumers driving certain 2001-2003 Honda and Acura models originally equipped with Takata's older "Alpha" inflators, are at an even higher risk. It says there is a 50% chance an "Alpha" inflator will rupture in a crash.

Honda says these vehicles should not be driven, except to a dealer for the repair.

BMW of North America is recalling 36 model year 2017 X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 xDrive35d, and X5 xDrive40e vehicles.

The recalled vehicles are equipped with passenger front airbag modules using certain air-bag inflators that may not vent properly in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag.

If the inflator cannot vent properly, the inflator may rupture, resulting in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants and causing serious injury or death.

What to do

BMW has notified owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2017.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Porsche Cars North America is recalling 17,871 model year2015-2016 Macan S and Macan Turbo and 2017 Macan GTS vehicles.

The passenger occupant detection sensor mat may fail in the front passenger seat, deactivating the front passenger airbag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash "

If the front passenger airbag does not deploy in the event of a crash as intended, the front passenger has an increased risk of injury.

What to do

Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensor mat and seat cushion, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AH02.

The ink had not yet dried on a judge's order fining airbag-maker Takata $1 billion for wire fraud when a class-action lawsuit was filed in Florida charging that Ford, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota had installed the defective airbags in cars for years while knowing they were dangerous.

“For over a decade, Takata lied to its customers about the safety and reliability of its ammonium nitrate-based airbag inflators,” said Acting Assistant U.S. Attorney General Blanco after a Detroit federal court judge imposed the fine Monday. “Takata abused the trust of both its customers and the public by allowing airbag inflators to be put in vehicles knowing that the inflators did not meet the required specifications."

The Florida lawsuit charges that it was not only Takata that knew of the hazards presented by the faulty airbag inflators. It alleged that automakers knew of the dangers but kept pressuring suppliers to keep costs down and continued using Takata airbags even though they knew they were prone to explode and spew deadly shrapnel into the passenger compartment.

At least eleven people have died in the U.S. and more than 100 have been injured by the airbags, and automakers have staged a massive recall of more than 70 million airbags in 42 million vehicles.

The Florida suit was filed by attorney Kevin Dean, who objected to the Takata plea deal and charged that documents filed with the court showed that automakers were not victims of a Takata cover-up but accomplices.

Judge George Caram Steeh approved the settlement anyway, saying that Dean's objections could be handled in a separate civil suit.

Honda strongly denied the allegations in the Florida suit, saying it "reasonably believed" they were safe. 

Takata has reportedly agreed to set up a fund to compensate victims of its faulty airbags, which have been blamed for 11 deaths and hundreds of injuries in the United States. The $125 million fund is part of a plea deal expected to be aired in a federal courtroom in Detroit on Monday.

More than 70 million of the defective airbags have been recalled because their inflator can explode and send deadly shrapnel into the passenger compartment.

The recall process has been seen as painstakingly slow by consumers, although regulators and automakers say they have been working as quickly as possible to remove and replace the defective units.

Last December, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued an order that set deadlines for when automakers must have replacement parts available for customers. 

“NHTSA is doing everything possible to make sure that there are no more preventable injuries or deaths because of these dangerous airbag inflators,” said then-NHTSA Administrator Dr. Mark Rosekind. “All vehicle owners should regularly check their vehicles for recalls at SaferCar.gov and go get them fixed at no cost as soon as replacement parts are available.”

It's not that easy, of course. Consumers and dealers alike have been frustrated by a lack of parts. Some automakers have asked dealers to make loaners available but most have not, leaving consumers with little choice but to drive around with a lethal explosive device just inches from their face. 

The fund is said to be similar to the one General Motors set up in 2014 to deal with the deaths and injuries that resulted from faulty ignition switches on some of its smaller sedans. Press reports in the Wall Street Journal and elsewhere say the fund will be administered by Kenneth Feinberg, who also ran the GM fund and handled compensation for victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

$1 billion total

The fund is part of what's expected to be $1 billion that Takata will pay as part of an agreement to plead guilty to criminal wire fraud for allegedly providing false safety reports to automakers. Much of the remaining amount will be used to reimburse automakers for the expenses they have incurred in conducting the recalls. 

Takata had earlier turned aside a plea by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) that it establish a fund to compensate victims, saving them the expense and trauma of pursuing legal action against the company. He said Takata only agreed to the action "because they had a gun to their head."

Blumenthal noted that General Motors had set up its fund just months after recalling millions of cars with defective ignition switches, and he called the $125 million "paltry" compared with the automakers' fund.

Settling the court case is thought to be the last hurdle in Takata's attempt to find a buy for the troubled company, which would otherwise likely face bankruptcy.

Nissan North America (Nissan) is recalling 46 model year 2002 Pathfinders and Infiniti QX4s.

The vehicles' Takata airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment may rupture in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbags.

What to do

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger airbag assembly, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

This story is based on a recall notice issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the automobile manufacturer. Although the recall notice may specify certain models and production years, the actual recall may officially include only certain vehicles within those categories -- production runs during a certain time span, for example.

Has your car been recalled? To check whether there are outstanding recalls on your car, jot down your VIN number (which you can find in the lower left corner of your windshield), go to www.nhtsa.gov/recalls, and enter the VIN where indicated. 

Once notified of a recall, you should contact your local dealer, who will make the necessary repairs if parts are available. Frequently, parts are not immediately available and you may have to wait, sometimes for months in the case of a large recall. The dealer may voluntarily provide you with a loaner but is not required by law to do so. 

Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling 550 model year 2016 Land Rover Range Rover & Range Rover Sport vehicles, and 2017 Range Rover Evoque vehicles.

The vehicles have a front passenger airbag inflator initiator that may fail to ignite during a crash, preventing the airbag from deploying.

The failure of the front passenger airbag to deploy increases the risk of injury.

What to do

Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 20, 2017.

Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is P094.

Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling a total of 8,769 vehicles with a passenger front airbag inflator issue.

Included are model year 2012 Land Rover Range Rovers originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone A," Land Rover is recalling model year 2009 Land Rover Range Rover vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Further, Land Rover is recalling model year 2007-2008 Land Rover Range Rover vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assemblies, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners will be sent an interim notification around March 3, 2017. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available.

Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is P082.

Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) is recalling 1,964 model year 2012 and 2014 i-MiEV vehicles.

The vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-17-001.

BMW of North America is recalling a total of 48,380 vehicles with a passenger front airbag inflator issue.

Te recall includes model year 2012 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone A,", BMW is recalling certain 2009 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i, and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2009 X6 xDrive 35i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M, and 2009 X5 xDrive35d vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Further, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B," BMW is recalling certain 2007-2008 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, and 2008 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger airbag inflator or airbag module, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available are expected to be mailed March 1, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Ford Motor Company is recalling a total of 654,695 vehicles with an airbag inflator issue.

Included are model year 2012 Ford Fusions and Mustangs and Lincoln Zephyrs and MKZs originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone A,” Ford is recalling certain 2009 Ford Rangers, Edges, Fusions and Mustangs, Lincoln MKXs, MKZs and Zephyrs and Mercury Milans originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B," Ford is recalling certain 2007-2008 Ford Rangers, Edges and Lincoln MKXs, 2006-2008 Ford Fusions, Mercury Milans, Lincoln Zephyrs and MKZs, 2005-2008 Ford Mustangs and 2005-2006 Ford GTs originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

These vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger front airbag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front airbag inflator, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners of the recall and that parts are not yet available are expected to begin February 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S01.

Daimler Vans USA (DVUSA) is recalling a total of 11,279 vehicles with an airbag inflator issue.

Included are model year 2012 Freightliner 2500 and 3500 Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz 2500 and 3500 Sprinter vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Additionally, DVUSA is recalling certain 2009 Dodge 2500 and 3500 Sprinter and Freightliner 2500 and 3500 Sprinter vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

These vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

DVUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger airbag module, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners about the recall and telling them that parts are not yet available are expected to be mailed in February 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available.

Owners may contact DVUSA customer service at 1-877-762-8267.

Nissan North America is recalling a total of 152,554 vehicles with airbag inflator issues.

Included are model year 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A".

Additionally, if not included in "Zone A," Nissan is recalling certain model year 2009-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 and 2009 Nissan Versa sedans and hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B".

Further, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B," Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

The vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger airbag inflators, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Mazda North America Operations is recalling a total of 8,018 vehicles with airbag inflator issues.

Included are model year 2009 RX-8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone B,” Mazda is recalling model year 2005-2006 MPV and 2005-2008 RX-8 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal airbag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 7, 2017.

Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 0617A.

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 977,708 vehicles with airbag inflator issues.

Included are model year 2009-2012 Acura TSX; 2011-2012 Acura TSX Wagon; 2010-2012 Acura ZDX; 2008-2012 Honda Accord; 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour and Honda Insight; 2009-2012 Honda Fit; 2009-2012 Pilot; 2007-2011 Honda CR-V; 2012 Honda FCX Clarity; and 2006-2011 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid, Civic NGV vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Additionally, if not included in "Zone A,” Honda is recalling certain 2009 Acura TSX, Honda Fit and Pilot; 2008-2009 Honda Accord; 2006-2009 Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV; and 2007-2009 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Further, if not included in "Zone B," Honda is recalling certain 2008 Honda Accord; 2006-2008 Honda Civic, Civic Hybrid and Civic NGV; and 2007-2008 Honda CR-V vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

These vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger side airbag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KE1 and KE2.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling a total of 543,326 vehicles with airbag inflator issues.

The recall includes model year 2012 Toyota 4Runner, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sienna, Yaris, Scion xB, Lexus ES350, GX460, IS-F, IS250, IS350, IS250C, IS350C, and Lexus LFA vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone A," Toyota is recalling model year 2009 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Yaris, Yaris HB, Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe, Lexus, ES350, IS250, IS350, and IS-F vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Further, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B," Toyota is recalling model year 2006-2008 Lexus IS250 and IS350, 2007-2008 Lexus ES350, Toyota Yaris, Yaris HB, and 2008 Lexus IS-F and Scion xB vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger front airbag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Toyota will notify the Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners. General Motors will contact the Pontiac owners. Depending on the model, dealers will replace the passenger front airbag inflator or the airbag assembly, free of charge.

Interim letters informing owners that parts are not yet available are expected to begin January 30, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available.

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Pontiac customer service at 1-800-762-2737. Toyota's numbers for interim notification for this campaign are G1P (Toyota Zone A), G1R (Toyota Zone B), H1A (Toyota Zone C), G2G (Lexus Zone A), G2H (Lexus Zone B) and H2A (Lexus Zone C). Toyota's numbers for final remedy for this campaign are G0P (Toyota Zone A), G0R (Toyota Zone B), H0A (Toyota Zone C), GLG (Lexus Zone A), GLH (Lexus Zone B) and HLA (Lexus Zone C).

McLaren Automotive Incorporated is recalling 359 model year 2012 MP4-12C vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

These vehicles are equipped with certain airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflators, free of charge. Remedy parts are not currently available. McLaren will send a letter to the affected owners to notify them of the recall and will mail a follow up letter when remedy parts are available.

Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-8916.

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling a total of 882 Goldwing motorcycles.

Included are model year 2006-2009 and 2012 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Additionally, if not included in "Zone A," Honda is recalling certain 2006-2009 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Additionally, if not included in Zone A or Zone B above, Honda is recalling certain 2006-2008 Honda GL1800 (Goldwing) motorcycles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

These vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the operator resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 24, 2017.

Owners may contact Honda Motorcycle Customer Support at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KE5.

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling a total of 33,421 Audi vehicles.

Included are model year 2009 Audi A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan and S6 Sedan vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone B," the company is recalling 2005-2008 Audi A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, A6 Sedan, S4 Avant and S4 Sedan vehicles, 2007-2008 A4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S4 Cabriolet and S6 Sedan vehicles; and 2006-2008 A6 Avant and 2008 RS4 Cabriolet vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

These vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in February 2017.

Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.

General Motors is recalling 18 model year 2016 Chevrolet Malibus manufactured November 18, 2015, to June 7, 2016.

The fabric of the side-impact airbag cushion may tear during deployment.

If the airbag tears during deployment, it may not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

What to do

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 27, 2016.

Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 16079.

There are still about 70 million cars in the United States equipped with Takata airbags that could prove fatal in even a minor accident, like the one that killed Huma Hanif, 17, fatally injured by shrapnel from the airbag when her Honda Civic rear-ended another car at low speed in Houston.

Airbags in older cars like Hanif's, about 300,000 of them, are the biggest problem -- they have a 50 percent chance of exploding, safety officials say.

Takata itself is not in very good shape either. It is teetering on bankruptcy and seeking a buyer. This raises the question of who takes responsibility for the airbags if Takata goes away.

Federal highway safety chief Mark Rosekind addressed that question in Detroit Wednesday, saying automakers have the "ultimate responsibility" for replacing the airbags, no matter what happens to Takata, Reuters reported.

Rosekind also said he is concerned that not enough is being done to track down more than 300,000 older cars -- most of them Hondas and Acuras -- that have the most dangerous Takata airbags.

Honda has said that it has made multiple mailings -- as many as 20 in some cases -- to owners of Hondas from the 2001 to 2003 model years, but many of the cars have been sold to new owners, raising concerns that the mailings may have gone astray.

Honda now says it is about to start conducting home visits to owners of the older cars. The company also says it is looking for new ways to convince owners of recalled cars to get them fixed. Rosekind suggested it may be necessary to take mobile repair teams into neighborhoods to make the repairs, according to Reuters.

Ordered off the road

Maybe safety officials should consider the tactic they used to get 16,000 recalled Volvo tractor-trailer trucks fixed when it was discovered that the steering could fail without warning. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) ordered the trucks off the road and roadside safety and weigh stations were alerted to carry out the order.

All 16,000 of the trucks were fixed, the Department of Transportation announced on Nov. 1, the first time anyone can recall a car or truck recall campaign that was 100 percent successful. Many recalls stall or are delayed because dealers can't get parts and consumers either don't respond to mailings or don't receive them.

Safety advocates have long called for a more aggressive program to ensure that critical safety recalls are completed quickly and completely, meaning that all of the recalled vehicles are actually fixed, something that rarely happens now.

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), a senior member of the Commerce Committee, wrote to the head of NHTSA two years ago urging him to require automakers to provide consumers with loaner cars or rental-car reimbursement if they could not get their cars fixed immediately. 

Nelson then wrote to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx urging him to impose civil penalties on any company that refused to provide drivers with an alternate form of transportation while they wait for their cars to be repaired. Neither idea was implemented, although Honda and some other manufacturers are urging dealers to provide rentals or loaners while airbag recalls are carried out.

"Abysmal" record

Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), members of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, have called the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recall rate "abysmal" and have called on NHTSA to accelerate its efforts.

"Takata has lied to cover up problems with its airbags and NHTSA has aided this malfeasance with an inept and illogical recall process. NHTSA’s recall rate is abysmal and it is in part responsible for this most recent death," they said in a statement after Huma Hanif's death became the tenth attributed to Takata airbags in the U.S.

The most recent reported U.S. fatality also involved an older Honda Civic, a 2001 model driven by a 50-year-old woman killed Sept. 30 in Riverside County, Calif. Honda said it had sent 20 recall notices to the registered owner of that car but the recall was never completed. 

Many of the fatalities are occurring in hot and humid locations, like Texas and Florida. In Houston, Serena Martinez filed suit this week seeking compensation for the injuries she suffered when the airbag in her 2002 Honda Accord exploded. Heat and humidity cause ammonium nitrate, the propellant used in the recalled airbags, to break down, making it more susceptible to detonation.

Like millions of other car owners, Amy Leiva learned there was a problem with her car from a letter. Pregnant with her third child, Leiva had already been planning to trade in her 2010 Ford Edge for a larger vehicle to accommodate her growing family. 

"Ford Motor Company has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in your vehicle," the car manufacturer explained. Ford Motor Company in July had recalled 1.9 million vehicles as part of the industrywide recall of Takata airbags. Leiva's car now comes with a warning that "the passenger airbag inflator may rupture in the event of a crash...a ruptured inflator may result in metal fragments striking vehicle occupants causing serious injury or death."

The letter gave her a new sense of urgency. But with replacement parts for certain makes and models still on back-order, Leiva says she has been stuck with her current vehicle. At a Ford dealership near her home in Nevada, she says the salespeople told her they didn't want her Edge until the replacement parts arrive, whenever that may be.

"They said we're not going to be able to sell this car. We're going to have to hold onto it until the parts are available," Leiva tells ConsumerAffairs. "Sorry we don't know when its going to be," she recalls the dealership telling her. And no loaner cars would be offered in the meantime. "It's just frustrating," she says.

Long wait times

Car dealers and owners across the country are facing long wait times for replacement parts, as a Ford dealer in Dallas told ConusmerAffairs last week that they are "at the mercy" of Takata. On its website, Ford Motor Company explains that they have parts available for some vehicles but are still developing a permanent repair process in others. Meanwhile, "Ford Motor Company is not providing long-term loaner vehicles at this time," the corporate site says.

That's a stark contrast from Honda, which tells consumers that "should there be any wait for the replacement of driver’s airbag inflator, our dealers are prepared to provide alternative transportation in the form of a loaner or rental vehicle, free of charge.until your own vehicle is repaired."

Bryan Thomas, spokesman for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, says that the agency's recall doesn't force any dealership or car company to provide loaners, so it is up to each manufacturer what they choose to do. However, his agency does not consider any of the Ford vehicles included in the recall to be priority. While the Ford recalls are serious, he says his agency has singled out all Hondas and Accuras from 2001-2003 as especially high-risk. 

Thomas declined to comment on whether he believes dealerships should provide loaner vehicles while drivers wait. "We don't have authority to require that so I can't make that statement," he says. He adds that drivers should not disable their air bags. "It's really important to understand that airbags are far far more likely to save you and prevent injury in crash than they are to hurt you," he says.

Trade-ins for recalled cars

Ford Motor Company spokesman John Cangany says that dealerships, considered independent businesses, get to decide whether they will accept Fords subject to the recall as a trade-in. "There is not a policy related to what car owners do with their vehicles," he says in an email to ConsumerAffairs. "Dealers are not allowed to sell new vehicles with open safety recalls, though."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has confirmed the 11th U.S. fatality tied to faulty Takata airbag inflators. The victim, a 50-year-old woman, died from injuries she sustained when she crashed her 2001 Honda Civic in Riverside County, Calif., on September 30.

The agency has not released the name of the victim, but the vehicle she was driving was among a list of 2001-2003 Honda and Acura models that were at “substantially higher risk” of having the metal canister in the airbag rupture, which leads to shrapnel being spewed into the vehicle when the airbag deploys. The vehicle was initially recalled in 2008, but records showed that the recall repair never took place.

The vehicles on that high-risk list include the 2001-2002 Honda Civic, 2001-2002 Honda Accord, 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL, 2002 Honda CR-V, 2002 Honda Odyssey, 2003 Acura 3.2CL, and the 2003 Honda Pilot.

Latest in a string of fatalities

The entire recall extends far beyond just those models, though; in fact, it is definitively the largest auto recall in U.S. history. More than 69 million inflators have been recalled in the U.S. alone, and 100 million have been recalled worldwide.

The latest fatality comes little more than six months after the 10th victim lost her life. Seventeen-year-old Huma Hanif was rear-ended while driving outside of Houston in her Honda Civic. Police stated that vehicle had only taken moderate damage in the accident, but Hanif died due to a piece of shrapnel that became embedded in her neck when the airbag deployed.

The Department of Transportation has continued to urge consumers to not drive their vehicle if it falls under the recall, unless it is to directly to a dealer to have the problem fixed. You can visit SaferCar.gov to check the recall status of your vehicle.

A tough choice

However, as we recently reported, some owners who have tried to get their vehicles repaired have been unable to because dealers simply don’t have the parts to do the job. ConsumerAffairs reporter Amy Martyn recently called a Ford Dealership in Dallas to see if she would be able to have her fictional 2010 Ford Edge repaired.

Despite being a resident in Zone A – an area designated as the highest priority for recalls due to high humidity and temperatures – the dealership said it was unable to replace the necessary parts because they didn’t have them. Further, a representative admitted that they didn’t have parts for “the vast majority of airbags,” and that they were “kind of at the mercy of Takata.”

It seems to be a common problem throughout parts of the country, and it puts consumers in a very tough position. Either they can stop driving their vehicles and try desperately to get replacement parts for a hazardous product, or they can keep driving them and hope to avoid any kind of incident that would have the airbag deploy. Unfortunately, as we’ve seen  almost a dozen times in this country, choosing the latter can have fatal implications.

There is a slight, miniscule risk that the airbag in your car could blow up at any moment. We hope you don't mind driving it as is for another two months or longer. That's the message that some owners of cars made with recalled Takata airbags appear to be getting.  

In what is believed to be the largest auto-safety recall in the history of the United States, approximately 34 million cars here (along with another 7 million abroad) were made with defective airbags produced by Japanese manufacturer Takata Corp. The airbags, in rare instances, have exploded and shot shrapnel into the passenger side of vehicles. The explosions have reportedly killed at least 15 people.

Affected car owners who live in what the National Highway Safety Administration classifies as "Zone A," or states and territories with high temperatures and high humidity, are being prioritized for getting replacement airbag parts because regulators believe that hot, humid weather has contributed to the explosions.  

But even living in a priority zone doesn't guarantee quick replacement of your car parts. As a resident of "Zone A," I called a nearby Ford dealership in Dallas, Texas to ask about replacing the parts on my (fictional) 2010 Ford Edge, which is one of four Ford models subject to the recall. The company is currently recalling 1.9 million of its cars.

The dealership in Dallas still does not have the replacement parts for its 2010 Edge. In fact, "for the vast majority of airbags, we do not," said the Ford sales advisor. He estimated that I won't be able to get my Edge fixed until the end of this year, or possibly even early next year. "We're kind of at the mercy of Takata, with the production of air bags that haven't been produced in 4 or 5 years."

Different areas, different service

Some manufacturers have prioritized car-owners in an even more limited amount of states. BMW, for instance, which recalled 840,000 of its cars in February 2016, stated that they will prioritize affected owners in Florida, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, where weather is especially humid. Sure enough, a BMW dealership in Miami told me that I could get my 3 Series serviced this Saturday in a special "event" where car owners will also get free food and drinks. 

But in Dallas, the nearby BMW dealer said they have only received car parts for older models, not my 2012 3 series. "Dallas, we're just not getting them. We don't have them yet," she said.

Patricia Patterson is an actual owner of the BMW 3 Series. She lives in North Carolina, or part of "Zone B," which is even lower priority for repairs. Patterson says she got a letter from BMW alerting her that her vehicle was subject to a recall. The announcement was not entirely a surprise: she says that the light indicating her airbag needed service had been on, inexplicably, for some time.

The dealership 90 miles away from her home could never help her. "At one point they tried to sell me a new [airbag] for $1300, and I said no, I'll just leave the light on," she tells ConsumerAffairs. Now, when she searches her VIN number on BMW's recall page, she says she gets only one notification: "Remedy not available."

Calling the BMW corporate offices didn't help her. "I told them, if you had [an airbag] you could charge me for, why don't you have one to replace it?" She has opted to stop driving her car while she waits.

"No parts available"

Last July, Chrysler announced a recall of over 4 million of its vehicles in Zones A, B, and C. But a Dallas Chrysler dealership, selling the Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep, also didn't expect new car parts to arrive from Takata until the beginning of next year. "Unfortunately all dealerships have them on back order," the sales advisor said.

At the local Chevy dealer, requests to fix a 2015 Equinox were also met with "no parts are available at this time."

And an associate at the GMC dealership said that he had been given little information from his corporate bosses about the recall. "It looks like I do not know that information, GMC has not provided us with the proper procedures or materials on how to do it," he said. This is despite the fact that GMC had publicly announced in July that it was recalling 1.9 million vehicles.

"At this time, we do not know," echoed a similarly clueless Land Rover dealership.

Information disparity 

Not all dealerships were left in the dark. A Ferrari's sales advisor in Austin said he already had the parts ready for my 2011 California. A Mitsubishi dealer in Dallas was also optimistic that he could help me, if I provided him my specific VIN and recall number. And the nearby Honda dealership said they had the right parts in for all recalled cars.

Even better, the Honda dealer promised to lend me a rental car free-of-charge while I wait for my car to get fixed. "We'll get you taken care of, we'll actually put you in a rental car," he said confidently.

The Honda dealer’s offer was considerably nicer than the more upscale Mercedes dealership in Dallas, where an employee at first wasn't even aware of the recall, even though 841,000 of the company's cars were affected in May. 

An employee later clarified that the parts needed to replace my faulty airbag still aren't in the dealership yet. But when they do come in, there will be no free rental car for me. "From what we know, they don't take that long," she said, meaning that the actual mechanic work of replacing the airbag parts would only take an hour. Getting the correct part to actually arrive, however, is clearly another matter.

BMW of North America is recalling 3,606 certain model year 2015 BMW X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, X3 xDrive28d, X4 xDrive28i and X4 xDrive35i vehicles; and model year 2014-2015 X5 xDrive35i, X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive50i, and 2014 X5 xDrive35d vehicles.

The vehicles have a driver's front airbag inflator that may have been improperly welded.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's front airbag, the inflator housing could separate from the base plate and result in metal striking vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front airbag, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 11, 2016.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling 7,589 model year 2016 Toyota Prius vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015, to June 14, 2016.

An airbag inflator manufacturing error may result in the inadvertent partial inflation of the front passenger airbag, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 13, 2016.

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0W.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling an estimated 1.4 million vehicles in the U.S.

When vehicles equipped with a particular occupant restraint control module and front impact sensor wiring of a specific design are involved in certain collisions, the airbag and seat-belt pretensioners may not deploy properly.

If all these factors are present, there may be an increased potential for occupant injury.

The Company says it is aware of three fatalities and five injuries that may be related to this condition.

The following vehicles are being recalled:

• 2010 Chrysler Sebring midsize car
• 2011-2014 Chrysler 200 midsize cars
• 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber compact car
• 2010-2014 Dodge Avenger midsize cars
• 2010-2014 Jeep® Patriot and Compass SUVs 
• An additional 142,959 of these vehicles are subject to recall in Canada; 81,901 in Mexico, a population that includes the 2010 Chrysler Cirrus compact car; and 284,051 outside North America, which also includes the 2012-2013 Lancia Flavia midsize car.

The occupant restraint controllers or wire routing design found in the recalled vehicles are no longer being used.

What to do

Chrysler will advise affected owners when they may schedule service, which will be performed free of charge.

Owners with questions may call the Chrysler customer care center at (800) 853-1403.

Toyota Motor North America is recalling approximately 7,600 model year 2016 Prius vehicles in the U.S.

The recalled vehicles are equipped with a front passenger airbag containing stored, compressed gas in the inflator. A component in the airbag assembly may have been improperly welded and/or misassembled. If this occurs, the stored gas may escape without a deployment signal and result in the partial inflation of the air bag. This has been observed when the vehicle is parked and unoccupied for a period of time.

An airbag that inflates in this manner can, under some circumstances, increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a crash.

What to do

Toyota will notify all known owners of the recalled vehicles by first class mail beginning in November and Toyota dealers will replace the front passenger airbag assembly with a new one at no cost.

Owners may call Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987.  

Pagani Automobili SpA is recalling 32 model year 2014-2016 Huayra vehicles manufactured April 21, 2014, to July 29, 2016.

The driver side front air bag may not remain secured adequately to the steering wheel during deployment, and therefore the air bag may deploy improperly increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

What to do

Pagani has notified owners, and dealers will change the fasteners on the steering wheel air bag assembly, free of charge.

The recall began August 16, 2016. Owners may contact Pagani customer service at 1-415-350-7220.

BMW of North America is recalling 7,810 model year 2016-2017 MINI Clubman vehicles manufactured August 19, 2015, through July 14, 2016.

The side curtain airbags for the front seat occupants may not deploy in the intended positions in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

If a side curtain airbag does not inflate as intended in the event of a crash, there is an increased risk of injury to the front seat occupants.

What to do

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the driver and passenger side curtain air bag covers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin September 12, 2016.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 14,535 model year 2017 Audi Q7s manufactured August 30, 2015, to May 8, 2016.

Due to a software issue within the air bag control module, the front air bags may deploy with more force than required in certain crashes. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Air bags that deploy with excessive force may increase the risk of injury.

What to do

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O3.

Two U.S. senators are calling on Honda to issue "do not drive" orders to owners of 2001-2003 Honda and Acura models with Takata airbags that have been shown to have a 50 percent chance of rupturing in a crash.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said earlier this month that new data has found “as high as a 50% chance of a dangerous airbag inflator rupture in a crash."

Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) say Honda should take "the strongest possible action to ensure that vehicles with such air bags are immediately removed from the road before more people are killed."

They're also calling on Honda to do whatever it takes to make it as easy as possible for owners of these vehicles to have the defect repaired, without having to drive the vehicle to a dealership.

Grave risks

“Honda has a responsibility to clearly communicate the danger to consumers so that they understand the grave risks at hand,” the Senators wrote. “A ‘do not drive’ instruction should be conspicuously displayed on any recall notices, as well as this new test data so owners are informed that in the event of a crash, there is a 50 percent change that the airbag will violently explode."

"This new test data, coupled with the fact that eight of the 10 confirmed U.S. fatalities due to defective Takata airbags were in this subset of vehicles, make it abundantly obvious that a ‘do not drive’ instruction is absolutely warranted,” they said.

The senators have been expressing concerns about the slow pace of the Takata recalls since October 2014. 

Earlier this year, the senators sent a letter urging President Obama to recall every vehicle with airbags using ammonium nitrate as their propellant, and to use “every tool at his disposal” to accelerate the repair of all vehicles with potentially lethal Takata airbags.

Models listed

The higher-risk inflators are in the following vehicles:

• 2001-2002 Honda Civic;
• 2001-2002 Honda Accord;
• 2002-2003 Acura TL;
• 2002 Honda CR-V;
• 2002 Honda Odyssey;
• 2003 Acura CL; and
• 2003 Honda Pilot.

The airbag inflators in these models contain a manufacturing defect that, according to federal safety regulators, greatly increases the potential for dangerous rupture when a crash causes the airbag to deploy.

Ruptures are much more likely to occur in inflators if vehicles have spent significant periods of time in areas of high absolute humidity -- particularly Florida, Texas, other parts of the Gulf Coast, and Southern California. Testing of the inflators from these vehicles show rupture rates as high as 50% in a laboratory setting, the agency stated.

The vehicles in this grouping were recalled between 2008 and 2011. Honda has reported that more than 70% of this higher-risk population of vehicles have already been repaired, but nearly 313,000 vehicles remain unrepaired.

Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) is recalling 3,734 model year 2007-2009 B-Series trucks manufactured June 6, 2006, to January 22, 2009, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 B-Series trucks manufactured February 21, 2006, to April 28, 2008, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

The vehicles are equipped with certain airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 16, 2016.

Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9616F.

Nissan North America is recalling 4,355 model year 2016 LEAF vehicles manufactured February 24, 2016, to March 23, 2016, and Sentras manufactured February 9, 2016, to March 4, 2016.

The wiring harness connector may disconnect from the dual-stage passenger air bag. As a result, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness connector for proper engagement and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag module and main body harness, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin in late July 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is making a concerted effort to ensure that older vehicles with Takata airbag inflators -- particularly model-year 2001-2003 Honda and Acura vehicles -- are found and fixed before they cause further injuries or fatalities.

The push comes as a result of new test data, which according to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx show, “as high as a 50% chance of a dangerous airbag inflator rupture in a crash. Folks should not drive these vehicles unless they are going straight to a dealer to have them repaired immediately, free of charge.”

The higher-risk inflators are in the following vehicles:

• 2001-2002 Honda Civic
• 2001-2002 Honda Accord
• 2002-2003 Acura TL
• 2002 Honda CR-V
• 2002 Honda Odyssey
• 2003 Acura CL
• 2003 Honda Pilot

Manufacturing defect increases risk

The airbag inflators in the above listed vehicles contain a manufacturing defect that, according to NHTSA, greatly increases the potential for dangerous rupture when a crash causes the airbag to deploy.

Ruptures are much more likely to occur in inflators if vehicles have spent significant periods of time in areas of high absolute humidity -- particularly Florida, Texas, other parts of the Gulf Coast, and Southern California. Testing of the inflators from these vehicles show rupture rates as high as 50% in a laboratory setting, the agency stated.

The vehicles in this grouping were recalled between 2008 and 2011. Honda has reported that more than 70% of this higher-risk population of vehicles has already been repaired, but nearly 313,000 vehicles remain unrepaired.

What to do

Drivers of these vehicles should immediately visit SaferCar.gov to check whether their vehicle has any outstanding safety recalls. Those that do should contact their nearest dealer to schedule a no-cost immediate repair. Replacement parts for these vehicles are available immediately.

Nearly 70 million Takata air bag inflators are or will be under recall by 2019, in the largest and most complex auto safety recall in U.S. history.  

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling model year 2008-2009 Audi A4, A5, and Q5 vehicles, in which the airbag control units may corrode and fail.

If the air bag control unit fails, the air bags may not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

What to do

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69O1.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., is recalling about 482,000 model year 2010 - 2012 Prius; 2010 and 2012 Prius Plug-In Hybrids; and 2011 and 2012 Lexus CT 200h vehicles.

The recalled vehicles are equipped with curtain shield air bags (CSA) in the driver and passenger side roof rails that have air bag inflators composed of two chambers welded together. Some inflators could have a small crack in the weld area joining the chambers, which could grow over time, and lead to the separation of the inflator chambers. This has occurred when the vehicle is parked and unoccupied for a period of time.

If an inflator separates, the CSA could partially inflate, and, in limited circumstances, one or both sections of the inflator could enter the interior of the vehicle. If an occupant is present in the vehicle, there is an increased risk of injury.

What to do

All known owners of the recalled vehicles will be notified by first class mail. Toyota and Lexus dealers will install retention brackets on the curtain shield air bag inflators at no cost. The retention brackets are designed to prevent the inflator chambers from entering the vehicle interior if separation occurs.

Information about automotive recalls, including but not limited to the list of involved vehicles, is subject to change over time.

Owners with questions may call Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987.  

Subaru of America is recalling 88,131 model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, and Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, or "Zone C."

These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-16. 

Mazda North America Operations is recalling 236,280 vehicles in two zones.

The first is “Zone A” and includes model year 2009-2011 Mazda6, 2007-2011 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Mazda is recalling model year 2007-2008 CX-7 and CX-9 vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

These vehicles are equipped with certain airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Mazda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 15, 2016.

Owners may contact Mazda customer service at 1-800-222-5500. Mazda's number for this recall is 9516E.

The American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 2,701 motorcycles in two zones.

The first is “Zone A” and includes model year 2006-2010 Honda GL1800 (Gold Wing) motorcycles manufactured February 8, 2006, to May 14, 2009, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Unless included in "Zone A" above, Honda is recalling model year 2006-2008 Honda GL 1800 (Gold Wing) motorcycles manufactured May 10, 2007, to May 14, 2009, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Motorcycles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall.

These motorcycles are equipped with an air bag inflator assembled as part of the air bag module, used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the air bag, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the rider resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag module containing the inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-866-784-1870. Honda's number for this recall is KA8.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 4,322,870 vehicles in three zones.

The first is is "Zone A" and includes model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500; 2005-2009 RAM 2500; 2006-2009 RAM 3500; 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis; 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis; 2008-2009 Sterling 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis; 2004-2009 Dodge Durango; 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen; 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler; 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger; 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum; 2005-2012 Chrysler 300; 2006-2012 Dodge Charger; 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota; and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500; 2005-2009 RAM 2500; 2006-2009 RAM 3500; 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis; 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis; 2008-2009 Sterling 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis; 2004-2009 Dodge Durango; 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen; 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler; 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger; 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum; 2005-2009 Chrysler 300; 2006-2009 Dodge Charger; 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota; and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Delaware, Washington D.C., Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling 2005-2008 RAM 2500; 2006-2008 RAM 3500; 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis; 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis; 2008 Sterling 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis; 2004-2008 Dodge Durango; 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen; 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler; 2008 Dodge Challenger; 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum; 2005-2008 Chrysler 300; 2006-2008 Dodge Charger; 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota; and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, or “Zone C.”

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Sterling and Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their respective companies. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. A notification schedule has not yet been provided.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43.

Nissan North America is recalling a total of 402,450 vehicles in three zones.

The first is is "Zone A" and includes model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45; 2003-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35; 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45; and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Nissan also is recalling model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45; 2003-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35; 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45; and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Lastly, Nissan is recalling model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, or “Zone C.”

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners will be sent an interim notification by the end of July 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available.

Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Forest River is recalling 77 model year 2007-2014 Solera, and Coachmen Prism vehicles, built on Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner Sprinter chassis.

Upon deployment of the driver's front air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's front air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Forest River will notify owners, and either Mercedes-Benz or Freightliner dealers will replace the driver front air bag inflator, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Interim notices will be sent beginning June 28, 2016. A second notice will be sent when remedy parts are available.

Owners may contact Forest River customer service at 1-877-496-3691 or may call the Sprinter/Takata hotline at 1-877-496-3691. Forest River's number for this recall is 51-04262016-0182.

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling 199,705 model year 2008-2011 C300 Sedans, C300 4matic Sedans, C350 Sedans, C63 AMG Sedans; 2010-2011 GLK350, GLK350 4-Matics and E350 Coupes; 2011 SLS AMGs, E350 Convertibles, E550 Coupes and E550 Convertibles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, MBUSA is recalling model year 2008 C300 Sedans, C350 Sedans, C63 AMG Sedans and C300 4-Matic Sedans originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag modules, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners will be sent an interim notification in July 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available.

Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

BMW of North America is recalling 91,806 model year 2007-2011 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5M vehicles; 2009-2011 X5 xDrive35d vehicles; 2008-2011 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles; and 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, BMW is recalling model year 2007-2008 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5M vehicles; and 2008 BMW X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator or air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 18, 2016.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling 34,334 model year 2007-2011 Land Rover Range Rovers originally sold or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Land Rover is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Land Rover Range Rovers originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in either Zones A or B are not subject to this safety recall.

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front airbags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Land Rover will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assemblies, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners will be sent an interim notification around July 31, 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available.

Owners may contact Land Rover customer service at 1-800-637-6837. Land Rover's number for this recall is P081.

General Motors is recalling 1,400,000 model year 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalades, Escalade ESVs and Escalade EXTs, Chevrolet Avalanches, Silverado 1500s, Suburbans and Tahoes, GMC Sierra 1500s, Yukons and Yukon Xls; and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500s and 3500s and GMC Sierra 2500s and 3500s originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

GM has not yet provided a remedy plan nor a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet Customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 49151.

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 217,000 model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2011 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Volkswagen is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 Audi A4, and 2005-2008 Audi A6 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Volkswagen is recalling model year 2004 Audi A4 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal airbag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834.

General Motors is recalling 500,000 model year 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalades; Escalade ESVs;, Escalade EXTs; Chevrolet Avalanches; Silverado 1500s; Suburbans; Tahoes; GMC Sierra 1500s; Yukons; and Yukon XLs originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Vehicles not originally sold or ever registered in these states are not subject to this safety recall.

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal airbag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

GM has not yet determined a remedy plan nor provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 49152.

Ford Motor Company is recalling 1,896,443 model year 2007-2011 Ford Rangers; 2006-2011 Ford Fusions, Mercury Milans and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZs; 2007-2010 Ford Edges, Lincoln MKXs; 2005-2006 Ford Gts;, and 2005-2011 Ford Mustangs originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone

A."

Additionally, unless included in "Zone A," Ford is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Ford Rangers, Edges and Lincoln MKXs; 2006-2008 Ford Fusions, Mercury Milans and Lincoln Zephyr/MKZs; 2005-2006 Ford Gts; and 2005-2008 Ford Mustangs originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."

Vehicle not included in "Zone A", or "Zone B" are not included in the recall.

These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin July 11, 2016.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S26.

Ferrari North America is recalling 2,820 model year 2009-2011 Ferrari Californias manufactured February 16, 2009, to July 8, 2011, and model year 2010-2011 458 Italias manufactured March 5, 2010, to July 29, 2011.

These vehicles are equipped with airbag inflators assembled as part of the passenger front airbag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, the inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Ferrari will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag assembly, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Ferrari customer service at 1-866-551-2828. Ferrari's number for this recall is 60.

Mitsubishi Motors North America (MMNA) is recalling 38,628 model year 2006-2007 Lancers and Lancer Evolutions manufactured June 29, 2005, to June 19, 2007, equipped with certain airbag inflators.

In the event of a crash necessitating airbag deployment, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

MMNA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front airbag inflator, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact MMNA customer service at 1-888-648-7820. MMNA's number for this recall is SR-16-002.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 7,180 model year 2011-2016 Right Hand Drive Jeep Wranglers manufactured February 16, 2010, to May 2, 2016.

The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.

Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's front air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S40.

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Flex; 2008 and 2010-2012 Taurus; 2008-2009 Taurus X; 2008 Mercury Sable; and 2009 & 2011 Lincoln MKS vehicles.

The driver front air bag may inflate improperly during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

What to do

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the driver's front air bag module, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 13, 2016.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16C06.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA is expanding its recalls involving Takata front passenger air bag inflators by approximately 1.584 million vehicles.

A safety defect may arise in front passenger air bag inflators in the involved vehicles due to inflator propellant degradation occurring after prolonged exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures and high temperature cycling.

This may result in an inflator rupture when the air bag deploys.

Approximately 1,584,000 additional vehicles in U.S. are being recalled. Among them:

• 2009 - 2011MY Corolla, Matrix
• 2006 - 2011MY Yaris
• 2010 - 2011MY 4Runner
• 2011MY Sienna
• 2008 - 2011MY Scion xB
• 2007 - 2011MY Lexus ES
• 2010 – 2011MY Lexus GX
• 2006 – 2011MY Lexus IS

What to do

Toyota, Scion and Lexus owners will be notified by first class mail. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the air bag inflator, or the air bag assembly, at no cost.

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987.  

Hawaii is suing Takata and Honda, accusing them of covering up defects in Takata's airbags. It's the first state to take Takata to court over the massive recall of airbags, which have been linked to 13 deaths and hundreds of injuries worldwide.

Takata announced today that it is recalling 14 million more airbags, although it doesn't yet know which cars contain the potentially defective units.

Hawaii is seeking $10,000 for each affected vehicle in the state, estimated to be about 70,000. 

“Companies that supply and market goods to Hawai’i consumers are obligated to deliver products that are safe and to provide consumers with full, accurate, and timely information when dangers become known," said Stephen Levins, Executive Director of the State Office of Consumer Protection. "Takata and Honda put their own profits and reputations ahead of honesty and their customers’ safety. We intend to hold them accountable for their conduct.”

Takata is also being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice and faces an avalanche of lawsuits. Federal regulators earlier this month said an additional 40 million Takata airbags need to be replaced, in addition to 28.8 million already recalled.

Hawaii is one of the high-humidity states where the recall was initially focused. In its suit, the state says its tropical climate puts residents at a “significantly greater risk of overly aggressive combustion, rupture, and injury and/or death caused by Takata’s unsafe airbags.”

Kia Motors America is recalling 17 model year 2016 Kia Optimas manufactured November 10, 2015, to February 12, 2016.

A chemical enhancer required for the for the second stage deployment of the driver's front air bag was not loaded, resulting in the second stage not deploying in necessitating crashes, increasing the risk of injury or death.

What to do

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in May 2016.

Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC131.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 58,515 model year 2016 Avalons and Camrys manufactured November 30, 2015, to March 4, 2016.

The occupant classification system (OCS) that activates or deactivates the front passenger seat air bag system may have been calibrated improperly. As a result, the front passenger air bag and knee air bag may not deploy as intended in certain crash scenarios. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Air bags that do not deploy as intended during a crash increase the risk of injury.

What to do

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will recalibrate the OCS, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by May 31, 2016.

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0J.

Jaguar Land Rover North America is recalling five model year 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2015 XF vehicles manufactured February 6, 2008 to October 20, 2014.

The driver front air bags may be missing a chemical enhancer required for the second stage deployment, resulting in the second stage deploying improperly in certain crashes increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Jaguar will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on June 6, 2016.

Owners may contact Jaguar customer service at 1-800-452-4827. Jaguar's number for this recall is J065.

Toyota Motor Sales is recalling approximately 16,880 Model Year 2016 Avalon and 41,630 model Year 2016 Camry sedans.

The front passenger seat is equipped with an Occupant Classification System (OCS) which activates/deactivates the front passenger air bag system, depending on the weight of the occupant.

There is a possibility that some vehicles may not have received proper OCS calibration during the vehicle manufacturing process. With the improper calibration, under some conditions, the front passenger airbag and the front passenger knee airbag may not deploy as designed in a crash, increasing the risk of an injury to a front seat passenger.

What to do

Toyota will notify owners of the recalled vehicles by first class mail and Toyota dealers will re-calibrate the OCS.

Owners may call Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 11,602 model year 2004-2007 Accords manufactured October 1, 2003, to August 17, 2007.

The vehicles may have been assembled with an incorrect passenger frontal air bag module that does not comply with the advanced air bag requirements. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

An air bag module does not meet the advanced air bag requirements can increase the risk of injury or death in the event of a crash.

What to do

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the air bag module as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 5, 2016.

Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JZ3.

Police used to marvel at how people walked away from head-on accidents that would have killed them prior to the widespread use of airbags. Now they marvel at the people who are killed in minor fender-benders when their airbags explode and hurl tiny pieces of metal into the passenger compartment.

That's what happened to Huma Hanif, 17, when she rear-ended the car in front of her while driving outside Houston in her Honda Civic. A metal fragment became embedded in her neck and she bled out at the scene, police said.

“She wasn’t speeding. The car had only moderate damage,” Sheriff's Office Danny Beckworth said, according to a report in The New York Times. “It’s a crash that we work with every day that everybody walks away from.”

Fatal shortcomings

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla,) said the death illustrates the shortcomings in the U.S. safety recall program.

General Motors is recalling 3,137 model year 2016 Malibus manufactured February 16, 2016, to March 5, 2016.

The two weld studs that mount the front and rear side impact air bags may fracture and separate from the air bag during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Fractured weld studs may allow the side air bag to move out of position during deployment, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 31820.

General Motors is recalling 1,579 model year 2016 Chevrolet Colorados manufactured January 19, 2016, to February 2, 2016; Chevrolet Malibus manufactured January 9, 2016, to January 26, 2016; and 2016 GMC Canyon vehicles manufactured January 21, 2016, to February 4, 2016.

The driver-side front air bag may inflate improperly during second-stage deployment in the event of a high speed crash.

An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury.

What to do

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver-side front air bag module, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 28030.

In an odd way, Takata's explosion-prone airbags may be contributing to highway safety. As the owner of two cars with the recalled devices, I can testify that I am much less likely to mercilessly tailgate slower drivers, knowing that bashing the car in front of me could result in shards of metal penetrating my neck.

But snarking aside, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) has been putting pressure on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to recall all airbags that use ammonium nitrate to inflate the airbag when a crash occurs. He also wants the NHTSA to require that new airbags use something else.

"With all that we know about these things, they should not be used. This ammonium nitrate should not be used as replacements for the old Takata inflators, and certainly shouldn't be used in the new cars that are produced and sold to consumers," Nelson said in comments on the Senate floor earlier this week.

Nelson made the request in a letter to NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind, adding that he thinks all Takata airbgs that use ammonium nitrate should be recalled.

"New hardships"

But Rosekind says granting Nelson's request would make a bad situation worse. It would "needlessly impose new hardships" on the supply of replacement parts for the 29 million Takata inflators already recalled, he said in a letter to Nelson.

Nelson said consumers need some reassurance that the NHTSA is on the right track.

"Will Takata continue to produce millions of these things? We don't know. We don't know the answer. And are consumers today basically getting a newer version of the old version that has been so defective? No answer to that either," he said. "In other words, are we going to replace an old live grenade with a new live grenade?"

For their part, automakers continue to issue new recalls as they find evidence of potentially defective inflators. Toyota today recalled another 198,000 Toyota and Lexus vehicles.  

Toyota Motor Sales, USA is expanding two of its recalls involving Takata front passenger air bag inflators.

The recalled vehicles are equipped with a Takata-produced dual-stage front passenger airbag inflator which could potentially be susceptible to rupture when deployed in a crash.

The expansion will add 198,000 Model Year 2008 Corolla and Corolla Matrix and Model Year 2008-2010 Lexus SC430 vehicles, model years of certain vehicles previously recalled and will cover all remaining dual-stage front passenger inflators of a particular type.

What to do

All known owners of the affected Toyota / Lexus vehicles will be notified by first class mail. Dealers will replace the airbag inflator or the airbag assembly with a newly manufactured one at no cost.

Consumers with questions may call Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331, or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987.  

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 1,037 model year 2009 Volkswagen Routans manufactured February 7, 2008, to August 28, 2008.

The air bag control units may corrode and fail resulting in failure of the air bags may to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

VW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling320,409 model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470; 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia; and 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags.

The recalled vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently and increasing the risk of occupant injury.

What to do

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 2, 2016.

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing is recalling 5,070 model year 2016 Lexus RX350 and RX450h vehicles manufactured November 16, 2015, to December 23, 2015.

Due to an improper weld, the gas needed to inflate the driver's knee air bag may escape from the inflator. A defective inflator may increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

What to do

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the knee air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 27, 2016.

Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is GLA.

General Motors is recalling 179,861 model year 2003-2011 Saab 9-3 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2002, to February 15, 2011; 2010-2011 Saab 9-5 vehicles manufactured June 23, 2010, to February 21, 2011; and 2008-2009 Saturn Astra vehicles manufactured April 11, 2007, to July 24, 2008.

Upon deployment of the driver's-side front air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator on Saab 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles and will replace the airbag module on Saturn Astra vehicles, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Saab customer service at 1-800-955-9007 or Saturn customer service at 1-800-553-6000. GM's number for this recall is 28810.

BMW of North America is recalling 840,000 model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes; 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans; 2009-2011 335d sedans; 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons; 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles; 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs; 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs; 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs; 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs; 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs; 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs; and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles.

Upon deployment of the driver-side front air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's front air bag, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners will be mailed an interim notification beginning March 31, 2016. A second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available.

Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 2.23 million model year 2007-2011 Honda CR-V; 2011-2015 CR-Z; 2010-2014 FCX Clarity, and Insight; 2009-2013 Fit; 2013-2014 Fit EV; 2007-2014 Ridgeline; 2013-2016 Acura ILX; 2013-2014 Acura ILX Hybrid; 2007-2016 RDX; 2005-2012 Acura RL;2009-2014 Acura TL; and 2010-2013 Acura ZDX vehicles.

The recalled vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver front air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. Remedy parts are expected to be available in Fall 2016. Interim notices will be mailed to owners beginning on March 14, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available.

Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JX2, JX3 and JX4.

Volkswagen Group of America is recalling 734 model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguans manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5s manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015.

The recalled vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash. Metal fragments could strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW).

American Honda Motor Company is recalling 341,444 model year 2008-2010 Accords.

The air bag control units may corrode and fail, resulting in a failure of the air bags to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control units, free of charge. Parts are expected to be available in Fall 2016. Interim notifications will be mailed to owners beginning on March 15, 2016, and a second notice will be mailed when remedy parts are available.

Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's number for this recall is JW9.

FCA US LLC (Chrysler) is recalling 112,001 model year 2009 Dodge Journey vehicles manufactured December 31, 2007, to August 31, 2008; 2008-2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country vehicles manufactured June 18, 2007, to August 31, 2008; and 2009 Volkswagen Routan vehicles manufactured August 11, 2008, to August 31, 2008.

The air bag control units may corrode and fail, which could result in failure of the air bags to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury. Additionally, the air bags may inadvertently deploy, increasing the risk of a crash.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control unit, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S07.

There is no end in sight for the Takata airbag crisis. As the number of recalls continues to grow, consumers and Congress grow restless, and safety advocates call for criminal prosecutions and imprisonment of top executives.

In the latest development, Honda said it is expanding its recall of late-model Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the devices, possibly adding as many as 2.3 million vehicles to the recall list. The company told dealers of the decision last week and is expected to make it public today (Thursday).

With as many as 60 million defective airbag inflators potentially on the recall list, Takata Corp. faces an uncertain future. The staggering cost of the recalls is expected to endanger the company's future even as the plodding pace of the recall endangers the lives of consumers everytime they take the wheel. CEO Shigehisa Takada, grandson of the company's founder, may be forced to resign as the amount of money needed to carry out the recalls continues to rise, recent reports have said.

Jail time

Of course, there are worse things than resigning. Going to prison is one of them -- and that's what safety crusader Clarence Ditlow says should happen. He says the grisly injuries inflicted by the defective Takata airbag inflators are the result of corporate greed and should be punished by a harsh prison sentence.

According to Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, Takata decided in the year 2000 to stop using sodium azide as a propellant in its airbags and replaced it with ammonium nitrate, "an incredibly powerful explosive."

"It’s what Terry McVeigh used to bring down the government office building in Oklahoma City. It’s what a lot of terrorists in the Mideast are using in the improvised explosive devices. And so, yet this propellant that Takata used, it was known to degrade, known to explode, they put it into the airbag inflator to save, once again, a few pennies per inflator," Ditlow said in a radio interview.

Obama urged to act

In the U.S. Senate, Democrats Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) urged President Obama to recall every vehicle with airbags using ammonium nitrate as their propellant, and to use “every tool at his disposal” to accelerate the repair of all vehicles with potentially-lethal Takata airbags.

The renewed calls for action follow the December death of Joel Knight in South Carolina, who was killed when his truck struck a stray cow. Instead of cushioning the impact from the wreck, the airbag ruptured, firing shrapnel into Mr. Knight’s neck and killing him, The New York Times reported.

The senators said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) "has consistently deferred to Takata," allowing some automakers to take voluntary rather than mandatory actions to recall and replace defective airbags and later by limited mandatory recalls to "high-humidity" states on the theory that the problem would not occur in low-humidity climates.

"This, coupled with NHTSA’s willingness to allow Takata to take until the end of 2018 to prove that ammonium nitrate is safe in existing airbags; and until 2019 to show that the latest models of the inflators that use the compound are safe, is an outrageous dereliction of NHTSA’s basic duty to protect consumers,” the senators said in a letter to Obama.

As of the end of December 2015, 23 million airbags in 19 million vehicles had been recalled in the U.S. Two weeks ago, Takata agreed to recall another 5.1 million inflators and Honda is expected to recall another 2.3 million today.

Most of the recalls have not yet been carried out. It's estimated that only about a third of the potentially deadly inflators have actually been replaced.

Mazda is recalling approximately 19,000 model year 2004-2006 model year B-Series trucks with Takata driver-side front air bag inflators in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Saipan.

There have been no reports of accidents or injuries on the Mazda-badged vehicles subject to this recall.

Model year 2007-2009 B-Series Trucks with Takata passenger-side front air bag inflators are part of a previous recall.

The following Mazda models with passenger- and/or driver-side front Takata air bag inflators are currently being recalled:

• Total Number of Driver’s frontal air bag inflator - 442,266
• Total Number of Passenger’s frontal air bag inflator - 416,475
• 2003-2008 Mazda6
• 2004-2006 B-Series
• 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6
• 2004-2008 RX-8 (All Driver-side / Certain Passenger-side)
• 2004 MPV (Certain Vins only. Click here to see if your vehicle is included.)

Consumers with questions may contact Tamara Mlynarczyk at 202-467-5092 or Jeremy Barnes, 949-727-6844.

The death of a Ford pickup truck driver has touched off a massive recall of about 5 million additional vehicles equipped with Takata airbags. The new recalls include vehicle manufactured by Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Ford, who had escaped previous recalls.

The recalls are based on continuing tests of the Takata airbags and on the investigation in to the death of a South Carolina man whose 2006 Ford Ranger struck a cow in Georgia, Automotive News reported.

The truck's airbags deployed and the driver was struck by flying metal parts from the airbag inflator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

The latest recall brings the total number of vehicles recalled because of Takata airbag inflators to 28 million worldwide, 24 million in the U.S. 

About 4 million other vehicles will be recalled due to additional testing on Takata airbags, including vehicles from Honda, VW and other automakers, NHTSA said today.

Takata has been fined $70 million for safety violations and could face additional penalties of up to $130 million.