FCA Recalls 3.3 mn Autos Worldwide for Takata Airbags

FCA U.S., formerly Chrysler, announced Friday it will recall 3.3 million older-model autos worldwide due to concerns about faulty Takata airbags.

The move expands a previous recall that was implemented only in warm, humid climates in the U.S., responding to a demand from regulators for a nationwide U.S. recall. About 2.9 million of the affected cars are in the U.S.

Automaker FCA U.S. said it would replace the driver’s-side air-bag inflators made by Japanese auto parts manufacturer Takata, despite not having found them flawed.

"Neither FCA U.S., nor Takata Corporation, the supplier, has identified a defect in this population of inflators," said the U.S. unit of Italian parent FCA Italy Spa, which changed its name from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles on Monday.

FCA U.S. also said that those components were distinct from Takata inflators cited in fatalities involving other automakers.

Certain airbags made by the Japanese auto parts company can deploy with excessive force, sending shrapnel into drivers and passengers. At least five driver deaths, four in the U.S. and one in Malaysia, have reportedly been linked to the problem.

FCA U.S. said all the tested airbags deployed as intended but that it would continue to study the suspect inflators, which are not used in the company’s current production vehicles.

FCA U.S. said only one incident, in Florida, one of the areas covered by previous regional recalls, was linked to an explosive air bag and resulted in an injury.

"Nevertheless, the company is replacing the Takata components tied to that concern," it said.

The expanded recall affects an estimated 2.89 million vehicles across the U.S.; 258,586 in Canada; 66,436 in Mexico and 99,030 elsewhere.

The total number of vehicles recalled worldwide for the Takata airbags has reached 3.7 million, it said.