Mazda is recalling 270,000 vehicles
Action taken due to the potentially explosive dangers from Takata air bags
NEW YORK — Mazda is recalling nearly 270,000 vehicles with Takata air bags that have the potential to explode.
Chemicals used to inflate the air bags can deteriorate in some conditions, causing them to deploy with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister that can result in flying shrapnel.
The potentially deadly defect can be found in passenger-side air bags on certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide. It also involves 2005-2006 MPV models in certain states.
Over the past several years, about 50 million air bag inflators have been recalled in the U.S., with 22 deaths and more than 180 injuries linked to the defect.
Takata has since been bought by Chinese-owned U.S. mobility safety company Key Safety System.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Transportation again urged owners of vehicles with defective Takata air bags to seek repairs immediately.
The agency singled out Ford Rangers and Mazda B-Series trucks from 2006, which are under a “do not drive” warning. The agency said Monday that it is “deeply concerned” that they are not being returned for repairs quickly enough. However, some motorists report that dealerships don’t always have the parts needed for repairs.
The focus is on 21 metropolitan areas, including Houston-Galveston, where many of the vehicles are located.
Other Texas metro areas on the list are Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and San Antonio.