New Takata Airbag Threat Leads to Infiniti Recall

2014 Infiniti QX56

A new manufacturing flaw involving Takata Corp. airbag inflators has prompted Nissan Motor Co. to recall 2013-2014 model Infiniti QX56/QX80 large crossovers.

The callback involves only about 1,900 vehicles. But it suggests Takata's airbag manufacturing problems may have lasted longer and affected more vehicles than the 16 million or more recalled worldwide so far.

The new flaw involves Takata driver airbag systems built with an incorrect baffle that could restrict gas flow from the inflator to the airbag.

The defect is different from the one that has triggered 7.8 million recalls in the U.S. within the past two years. Those recalls involve 2000-2011 models with passenger-side airbags whose inflators weren't properly welded.

The effect of both defects is the same: The inflator explodes when triggered and sprays shrapnel into the passenger compartment.

Nissan says its own probe into the problem was prompted by a General Motors Co. airbag recall in June. Nissan asked Takata to determine if both companies were affected by the same defect.