Toyota Expands Takata Airbag Recalls in Japan, China

Toyota Motor Corp. says it will recall an additional 185,000 vehicles in Japan and 5,000 in China to replace passenger-side airbag inflators from Takata Corp. that could explode when activated.

Japan's transport ministry tells reporters it may order unspecified changes in its recall system to respond faster to what it describes as an "unprecedented" crisis.

Toyota's expanded recall covers 19 models made in 2002-2003. The affected vehicles contain Takata inflators made in Monclova, Mexico.

Carmakers have so far recalled about 2.8 million vehicles in Japan and more than 16 million worldwide to replace the Takata devices. The recalls, which began six years ago, continue to expand as carmakers struggle to determine which vehicles contain the faulty inflators.

Some of the devices failed because they were incorrectly manufactured. Others appear to be sensitive to lengthy exposure to high humidity.