Automakers recall 12 million cars over Takata airbags

Automakers are recalling 12 million vehicles over faulty Takata airbags, the latest addition to what is already the largest-ever auto recall in the U.S.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Friday that Honda, Fiat Chrysler, Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Ferrari and Mitsubishi would issue new recalls. Unlike previous recalls, which dealt largely with driver-side airbags, this round focuses on passenger-side airbags.

Japan’s transport ministry announced Friday that it would also recall an additional seven million vehicles with Takata airbags.

The airbag recall was caused by a chemical malfunction in the airbag inflators. Independent panels have shown that heat and humidity can cause the chemical used in the airbags to shatter the inflator canister in the event of an impact, causing hot shrapnel to burst from the airbag and cause injury.

The Takata airbags have caused ten deaths and more than 100 injuries in the U.S., according to a May 4 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Before Friday’s announcement, 28.8 million airbags had been recalled in 24 million vehicles.