Toyota adding nearly 1.6 million vehicles to Takata air-bag recall

Associated Press

DETROIT

Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling nearly 1.6 million vehicles in the U.S. to replace potentially faulty front passenger air-bag inflators made by Takata Corp. of Japan.

The action expands what already was the biggest automotive recall in U.S. history. The U.S. government announced earlier this month that 17 automakers – including Toyota – are adding 35 million to 40 million Takata inflators to the 28.8 million that already have been recalled after multiple investigations showed more vehicles could be affected.

The latest recall includes Toyota, Scion and Lexus models from the 2006-2011 model years.

The air bags can deploy with too much force, breaking apart the metal inflator and spewing shrapnel into the vehicle. They are responsible for at least 11 deaths and more than 100 injuries worldwide.

The government said the inflators must be replaced before they reach a minimum of 6 years old, when the risk of rupture increases.

The recall expansion will be announced in phases based on the age of vehicles and where they are registered. Takata uses ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion that inflates air bags in a crash. But the chemical can degrade over time and when exposed to humidity and a large number of hot and cool temperature cycles.

Toyota said it will notify customers by mail. Here are the latest additions to the recall:

THE MODELS: 2009 -2011 Toyota Corolla and Matrix; 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris; 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner; 2011 Toyota Sienna; 2008-2011 Scion xB; 2007-2011 Lexus ES; 2010-2011 Lexus GX; 2006-2011 Lexus IS.