AutoNation Suspends Sales of Cars in Airbag Recalls

AutoNation Inc., America's largest chain of car dealerships, has halted the sale of all used vehicles involved in the Takata airbag recalls until the models are repaired.

Michael Jackson

CEO Mike Jackson complains to the Associated Press that the callbacks which involve 10 carmakers and dozens of models representing some 16 million vehicles built between the 2000 and 2011 model years are "confusing and incoherent."

The industry began six years ago to recall cars, trucks and crossovers equipped with Takata airbags that could explode. Last week the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration urged consumers to respond to recalls announced within the past two years covering 7.8 million vehicles in high-humidity regions.

The agency wasn't clear about the status of Takata-equipped models located in other parts of the country. And it fumbled last week's effort with inaccurate lists and a balky Web site that blocked owners from determining if their cars are targeted.

Jackson is urging NHTSA to create a process to conduct "coherent, coordinated" recalls involving failed components that are used by multiple manufacturers.