NISSAN OFFERS TO PAY $97.68M IN AIR BAG SETTLEMENT

MIAMI» Nissan Motor Co. would pay $97.68 million under a proposed settlement with vehicle owners affected by the Takata air bag recalls.

The settlement would pay for a new outreach program to ensure Takata air bags are removed from 4.4 million affected Nissan vehicles. It also would compensate owners for expenses while getting their cars fixed, including rental cars.

Takata’s air bag inflators can explode with too much force, hurling shrapnel into drivers and passengers. They are blamed for at least 16 deaths and 180 injuries worldwide. The problem touched off the largest automotive recall in U.S. history.

The Nissan settlement is similar to those reached in May with Toyota, BMW, Mazda and Subaru.

The settlement was filed Tuesday in federal court in Miami. It still needs a judge’s approval.