GM may recall 4.3 million vehicles over Takata air bags

New York: General Motors Co may recall another 4.3 million vehicles for potentially defective Takata air bag inflators. This call-back is expected to cost the US automobile major to the tune of $550 million. However, GM says there is a safety defect in any of the 6.8 million vehicles, but agreed to the initial recall after talks with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Hence, the recall is expected to be announced by the force of US regulators.

In May, GM said it would recall 1.9 million vehicles for Takata Corp air bag inflators that may not work properly. In June it expanded that recall to another 600,000 vehicles after a review of ownership data. GM says there is a safety defect in any of the 6.8 million vehicles, but agreed to the initial recall after talks with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Hence, the recall is expected to be announced by the force of US regulators.

In May, GM said it would recall 1.9 million vehicles for Takata Corp air bag inflators that may not work properly. In June it expanded that recall to another 600,000 vehicles after a review of ownership data.

GM in a securities filing said that the costs of replacing Takata air bag inflators in the 4.3 million additional vehicles would be $550 million, while replacing inflators in the 2.5 million vehicles recalled to date would cost as much as $320 million.

NHTSA said 17 automakers will have to recall another 35 million to 40 million US air bag inflators assembled by Takata. Previously, 14 automakers had recalled 24 million vehicles with 28.8 million inflators linked to at least 13 deaths and more than 100 injuries.

In May, the NHTSA said 17 automakers will have to recall another 35 million to 40 million US air bag inflators assembled by Takata. Previously, 14 automakers had recalled 24 million vehicles with 28.8 million inflators linked to at least 13 deaths and more than 100 injuries.

According to a report by Reuters, GM believes that the results of further testing and analysis will demonstrate that the vehicles do not present an unreasonable risk to safety and that no repair will ultimately be required.

GM yet to commence repair works on the initial 2.5 million vehicles recalled. This cost of these repairs is not yet accounted for the costs of the total recall.

Takata inflators have a unique design that does not pose a safety risk. The company said data showed no cases of an airbag rupturing among 44,000 deployments in large GM pickups and SUVs that contain Takata inflators.

Takata inflators have a unique design that does not pose a safety risk. The company said data showed no cases of an airbag rupturing among 44,000 deployments in large GM pickups and SUVs that contain Takata inflators.

Takata inflators used in GM trucks and large SUVs are designed with different venting for hot gases released when the airbag deploys. Takata airbags are installed in the vehicle in a way that minimizes exposure to moisture, GM said.

GM’s stance is at odds with the position of regulators that all frontal Takata airbag inflators without a drying agent must be recalled.

Bryan Thomas, spokesman at NHTSA

The science clearly shows that these inflators become unsafe over time, faster when exposed to humidity and variations of temperature.

Reiterating the agency’s stand on recall, NHTSA spokesman Bryan Thomas on Thursday said: “The science clearly shows that these inflators become unsafe over time, faster when exposed to humidity and variations of temperature.”

NHTSA also posted guidance on how automakers can petition for permission to alter the recall schedule. NHTSA said the process should not be used to eliminate a population of vehicles from the recall.

It’s estimated that a total of 100 million vehicles globally are equipped with Takata airbag inflators and they have been declared defective. Defective Takata airbag caused to 13 deaths and over 100 injuries worldwide. Defective inflators can explode with too much force and spray metal shrapnel into vehicle passenger compartments.