DETROIT — Japanese air bag maker Takata Corp. and 10 automakers have recalled 14 million vehicles worldwide for a problem with both driver and passenger side air bags, including 8 million in the U.S.
The air bags can inflate with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and sending shards flying at drivers and passengers.
The recalls have been limited to areas of high humidity, such as along the Gulf Coast. But the exact locations covered vary by automaker.
This can be confusing for car owners, some of whom have written lawmakers to say they're afraid to drive their cars.
On Tuesday, Takata declined a U.S. government demand to add about 8 million cars to a recall of driver's side air bags by broadening it to all 50 states. At least five deaths and dozens of injuries worldwide have been linked to the problem.
Here are some questions and answers about the recalls:
Q: How can I find out if my car has been recalled?
A: Dozens of models made by BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Mazda, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru and Toyota dating to the 2001 model year are covered. You should have received a recall notice from your automaker. Also, you can go to www.safercar.gov and key in your vehicle identification number, which normally is printed on your registration and stamped on the dashboard. That will tell you if your car is being recalled. You can also call your dealer. Honda is Takata's largest customer, and has so far recalled over 5 million vehicles in the U.S. alone
