Mazda Expands Takata Airbag Recall

Mazda Motor Corp. says it will add 18,000 Mazda6 midsize sedans and 50 RX-8 sports cars to last month's recall to replace defective passenger-side front airbag inflators that could explode.

The new recall covers 2003-2004 model Mazda6 sedans and 2004 model RX-8 sports cars. Takata says it missed those vehicles in its initial assessment into the scope of the problem.

Eight other carmakers are launching new or expanded recalls to replace Takata airbag inflators with the same flaw. Some 10.5 million vehicles worldwide have been called back in the past five years to address the same issue.