NHTSA Urges Automakers to Issue National Recall for Takata Airbags

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today it’s urging the 10 automakers involved in auto supplier Takata’s passenger-side airbag campaign to recall all such cars made across the U.S. That’s what The Detroit News reports, citing NHTSA Deputy Administrator David Friedman. Still, it could take several months before the agency could force automakers to recall more cars through its full statutory powers, according to the Detroit News.

Related: What Cars Are Included in the Takata Airbag Recall?

The agency also ordered automakers to submit documents that show what they’ve done to test the airbag inflators outside of high-humidity areas.

The move stems from a recent NHTSA evaluation of a driver’s-side airbag failure outside the current recall region. If NHTSA is successful, it will dramatically increase the number of vehicles recalled. Right now, automakers have recalled 7.8 million vehicles ― the majority from Toyota, Honda and Nissan ― for airbag issues. Some automakers, like Toyota, have advised dealerships to deactivate the passenger-side airbag if the replacement airbag inflators are not in stock yet, and for drivers to then keep anyone from sitting there. Still, some in Congress began pressing for a nationwide recall last month.

Click here to read the full report from The Detroit News.

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