Dec. 1, 2014—In the wake of an order from U.S. safety regulators, Japanese airbag-maker Takata Corp. may issue a nationwide recall that would force Honda Motor and Mazda Motor to recall an additional 200,000 vehicles across the U.S.
Several automakers in the U.S. have issued regional recalls of certain models to investigate what is causing some Takata air bags to explode, according to a report by Reuters. U.S. safety regulators have ordered Takata to have those recalls expanded nationwide.
A decision from Takata is expected by Tuesday.
Takata has opposed a U.S. recall, saying that it could divert replacement parts away from the high-humidity regions thought to cause the defects in its airbags due to moisture possibly breaking down the airbag inflator's chemical mix.
Takata and regulators still are guessing why some air bags have proved lethal, with the inflators exploding and shooting metal shards at car occupants. At least five deaths have been linked to such incidents, all of which involved Honda cars.
