Takata Airbag Recalls

Hundreds of thousands of Mercedes-Benz vehicles recalled over Takata air bags.

NBC News (2/9, Johnson, 3.58M) reports Daimler AG “announced Tuesday that it was recalling 840,000 vehicles in the United States — including more than 700,000 Mercedes-Benz models — because they’re outfitted with air bags made by Takata Corp., which can explode with deadly force.” Some 705,000 Mercedes-Benzesare being recalled in addition to 136,000 Daimler vans. The recall, which Daimler AG said is “precautionary,” will reportedly cost the company close to $400 million. The US has reported 10 deaths in relation with Takata defects and some 20 million vehicles are being recalled.

        The Wall Street Journal (2/9, Steele, Subscription Publication, 6.74M) reports the move came after the company was notified by the NHTSA about the defective Takata air bags. Honda Motor Co. last week announces it was recalling 2.2 million vehicles outfitted with Takata inflators in the US. It said the recalls were expected to cost it 2.2% of its revenue this fiscal year, and is estimated at $2.6 billion.

        Coverage is also provided by USA Today (2/9, Woodyard, 5.56M), Bloomberg News (2/10, Ma, 2.92M), the AP (2/9), Reuters (2/10, Shepardson, Taylor), Detroit Bureau (2/9, Einstein), AFP (2/9), and Cars (2/9, Mays, 951K).