NHTSA announces expansion of Takata airbag recall.

In continuing coverage, news outlets report that the NHTSA announced the expansion of the Takata airbag recall. Bankrate (5/5, Mello, 650K) writes that the expansion will add 35 million to 40 million cars to the recall list. The article explains that due to the large scale of the recall, the NHTSA has developed “an updated schedule for the order in which cars will be repaired, with the highest-risk cars being the priority.” NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said, “The science clearly shows that these inflators become unsafe over time, faster when exposed to humidity and variations of temperature.” Rosekind added, “This recall schedule ensures the inflators will be recalled and replaced before they become dangerous, giving vehicle owners sufficient time to have them replaced before they pose a danger to vehicle occupants.”

        AutoWeek (5/5, Ramey, 2.12M) writes that the expanded recall adds three new automakers (Jaguar-Land Rover, Tesla and Fisker) to the recall list, which already includes Honda, Toyota, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Fiat-Chrysler, BMW and others.

        Manufacturing (5/5, Szal, 5K) adds that the NHTSA also ordered Takata “to determine the safety of ammonium nitrate inflators that include a drying agent. Without proof of their safety, those inflators could also be added to the recall in the future.” The article mentions that DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx said, “Today’s action is a significant step in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s aggressive oversight of Takata on behalf of drivers and passengers across America.” InAutoNews (5/5, Petcu, 5K) adds that Foxx also said, “The acceleration of this recall is based on scientific evidence and will protect all Americans from air bag inflators that may become unsafe.” The Waukesha (WI) Patch (5/5, Anderson, 1K) also features Foxx’s comments.

        Digital Trends (5/5, Brown, 354K) notes that drivers can check if their car is affected by the recall on the NHTSA SaferCar site.

        The South Florida Sun Sentinel (5/5, Trishitta, 668K), Edmunds (5/5, Lienert, 354K), Cars (5/5, Schmitz, 876K), and the WSET-TV Lynchburg, VA (5/5, Crowe, 61K) website also report on the story.