Automakers recall 12 million U.S. vehicles over Takata air bags

[May 27, 2016]  By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Eight automakers announced a recall affecting more than 12 million vehicles on Friday related to defective Takata air bags, documents posted by U.S. government regulators showed.

Honda Motor Co is recalling 4.5 million U.S. vehicles while Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV is recalling 4.3 million, the documents show.

Japan's Takata this month agreed to declare up to 40 million additional inflators defective by 2019 in a move that will involve 17 automakers issuing vehicle recalls.

More automakers are expected to issue recall notices in coming days.

Takata has declared 14 million inflators defective in the first phase of its latest recall.

Earlier, it recalled 28.8 million inflators affecting 24 million U.S. vehicles.

At least 2.3 million of the 12 million vehicles recalled on Friday were subject to previous recalls.

Toyota Motor Corp has told regulators it is recalling 1.65 million vehicles Subaru is recalling nearly 400,000 vehicles in the United States.

The two automakers said the recalls include some discontinued Saab and Pontiac vehicles assembled for General Motors Co.

The defective air bag inflators have been linked to at least 13 deaths and more than 100 injuries worldwide. The vehicles being recalled were built between 2002 and 2011 and include pick-ups, SUVs and cars.

Fiat Chrysler said Friday it is recalling 933,000 vehicles in Canada, Mexico and outside North America for Takata inflators. It told the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the second phase of the Takata expansion would include 660,000 U.S. vehicles.

In Japan, regulators said an additional 7 million vehicles with Takata air bags would be recalled.

Mazda Motor Corp is recalling about 730,000 U.S. vehicles while Nissan Motor Co is recalling 400,000.

Mitsubishi Motors Corp is recalling about 38,000 2006-2007 Lancer vehicles and Ferrari NV is calling back 2,800 U.S. sportscars.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Alexander Smith and Jason Neely)

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