Carmakers Told to Prepare to Expand Takata Airbag Recalls

Ten carmakers who are recalling 7.8 million cars in humid regions to replace airbag inflators that could explode have been alerted they may need to expand their campaigns, Reuters reports.

The cars are among some 16 million vehicles recalled globally over the past five years, all equipped with potentially dangerous airbag systems supplied by Takata Corp. Takata has been grappling for months to determine exactly which cars ended up with potentially defective inflators.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is focusing repairing cars recalled within the past two years in high-humidity regions, where Takata believes the problem is centered.

But Deputy Director David Friedman urged carmakers by letter yesterday to test airbags themselves. He advised manufacturers to broaden their recalls if results suggest the same defect may plague cars in other climates too.

Friedman also advised Takata and its customers to seek other suppliers for replacement inflators if necessary to speed the repair process. Reuters says NHTSA doesn't believe Takata will be able to supply enough inflators to satisfy the current recalls until after February.

The agency is telling carmakers they should advertise the problem and offer loaner cars to customers until their vehicles are fixed.