Japan automakers recall 1.3 million cars at home over Takata airbags

TOKYO -- Japanese automakers on Thursday recalled around 1.3 million cars at home as part of an expanded recall of potentially faulty airbags from Takata Corp., with some planning more recalls overseas that could affect more than 1 million additional cars.

Automakers worldwide are ramping up the industry's biggest-ever recall after parts supplier Takata, under pressure from the U.S. government, agreed last month to declare more of its airbags as defective in the U.S. Japan's transport ministry has also ordered more air bags to be recalled at home.

Takata's airbag inflators can explode with excessive force after prolonged exposure to hot conditions, and have been linked to around 150 injuries and 14 deaths, mainly in the United States.

Mazda Motor Corp. said it planned to recall about 1.57 million vehicles worldwide, including 490,000 vehicles recalled in Japan on Thursday, while a recall by Mitsubishi Motors Corp. affected around 520,000 cars in Japan.

Subaru recalled 290,000 vehicles from the Japanese market.

Mazda recalled its Demio subcompact model, along with its Bongo van and the RX-8 sports car in Japan. The company said that its vans required replacements for driver-side airbags, while the remaining recalls were for passenger-side airbags.

The automaker said that models including the Mazda 2, as the Demio is known outside Japan, would be recalled overseas, including in the U.S. and China, without offering further details.

Mitsubishi Motors said Thursday's recall affected its Delica MPV and Pajero SUV models which use Takata-made driver-side airbags and were produced as recently as this year.

Passenger-side airbags would be replaced in its eK Wagon, eK Sport, Pajero Mini and Toppo mini vehicle models, along with mini vehicle models made for Nissan Motor Co.

Mitsubishi said that a total of around 92,000 affected Delicas and Pajeros had been exported overseas, and would likely be recalled at a later date.

Subaru said that it was recalling its Legacy sedans in Japan over passenger-side airbags.

Mercedes-Benz recalled around 93,000 cars, including its C- and E-class models, while Japan's UD Trucks, owned by Volvo AB, called in around 47,000 vehicles.

Since U.S. transportation authorities expanded its recall last month, roughly 100 million Takata airbag inflators have been classified as defective worldwide.

One of the world's largest suppliers of auto safety equipment, Takata has been searching for a financial backer to help it overhaul the business and carry ballooning costs, as the company faces recall-related payments and lawsuits.