The number of vehicles to be recalled in the US following doubts over airbag safety in units produced by airbag producer Takata (Tokyo / Japan; www.takata.com) – see Plasteurope.com of 29.10.2014 – has ballooned to almost 34m.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA, Washington, DC / USA; www.nhtsa.gov) has announced that it is to “organise and prioritise” the replacement of the defective air bag inflators in a project alongside Takata and the automakers that used the defective inflators in their vehicles, to ensure the American public receives information regarding the recalls as it becomes available.

Takata has determined that a defect exists in some of its air bag inflators and has agreed to a national recall of certain types of frontal driver and passenger side air bag inflators used in certain vehicles manufactured by BMW, Chrysler, Daimler Trucks, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota.

The inflators to be replaced were made with a propellant that can degrade over time and has led to ruptures that have been blamed for six deaths worldwide.

NHTSA said it is waiting for the automobile producers to supply a complete list of affected vehicles. As this information becomes available, the Administration will update its website accordingly. Automobile owners will then be able to use NHTSA’s VIN search tool to confirm whether their individual vehicle is under recall, and search by VIN on a specific vehicle-maker’s site, before following up with the manufacturer to receive interim guidance and arrange for the vehicle’s repair as soon as parts are available.