Takata Could Seek Help from Automakers on Recall Costs

Federal auto-safety regulators expect add another 5 million vehicles to the Takata air bag recalls – partly because they have identified another death attributable to defective inflators, officials said Friday. Government officials say a Ford pickup driver killed in December 2015 in SC is the 9th person to die in the USA and the 10th worldwide caused by defective Takata air bag inflators that explode, firing off shrapnel-like shards.

Information on recalls can be accessed through www.safecar.gov using a new VIN look-up tool developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTHSA).

The record number of recalls in 2015 was driven in large part by an unprecedented recall of vehicles containing airbags made by Takata Corp.

“We are cooperating fully with regulators and our automotive customers and continue to support all actions that advance vehicle safety, including through our ongoing testing efforts, replacement kit production, and raising consumer awareness of recalled vehicles”, the spokesman said.

“The campaign makes a simple point: Taking action on a safety recall keeps you and the people you love safe”, Rosekind said.

“Recalls are a serious safety issue that should be promptly addressed”, said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

Trowbridge said Friday that the number of recalled inflators could expand by “tens of millions” if Takata can’t prove that the ammonium-nitrate propellant in the inflators is not responsible for the defect. The Japanese company has acknowledged providing misleading test reports on air bags. The company hopes that a partnership with Daicel, which does not use ammonium nitrate, would provide needed production know-how and quality-control to help restore trust – something Takata sees little chance of doing on its own. Unlike some, they lack a desiccant that can reduce moisture, the spokesman said. There could be overlap with vehicles that are already under recall for passenger-side air bags.

A representative for Audi didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.