NEW YORK (AP) -- Nissan announced Saturday that it is recalling more than 52,000 vehicles for passenger air bags that can explode with too much force and send shards of metal into the passenger compartment, one day after Honda announced an expanded air bag recall in southern states.<br />
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The vehicles have air bag systems made by troubled Japanese supplier Takata Corp. The Nissan recalls are among nearly 8 million others made by 10 automakers, mainly in Southern high-humidity states, over the Takata air bags.<br />
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The recall affects the Infiniti FX35 and FX45 from 2003 to 2005, Infiniti I35 from 2003 and 2004 and Infiniti M35 and M45 from 2006. Also affected are Nissan Pathfinders from 2003 and 2004 and Nissan Sentras from 2004 to 2006.<br />
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In total, 52,738 vehicles are involved.<br />
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The newly recalled vehicles were sold or registered in 12 high-humidity states and territories. The humidity can cause the air bag propellant to burn too fast and potentially blow apart the metal canisters. The problem has been linked to four deaths.<br />
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Affected states and territories include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam and American Samoa.<br />
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Takata controls about 22 percent of the global air bag market. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating whether Takata and automakers that use its air bags acted quickly enough once the defects were suspected.<br />
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Nissan announced a small recall of two Infiniti models late last month also tied to Takata-made air bags. That recall affected some 1,800 Infiniti QX56 SUVs from 2013 and the Infiniti QX80 from 2014.<br />
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The Tokyo-based Nissan Motor Co. says it will notify owners and replace the air bag inflator for free.<br />
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HONDA RECALL<br />
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Honda is adding hundreds of thousands of vehicles to a previously announced recall for passenger air bags that can explode with too much force and send shards of metal into the passenger compartment.<br />
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The vehicles have air bag systems made by troubled parts supplier Takata Corp. and include older versions of the company's three most popular models, the Accord, Civic and CR-V.<br />
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Honda Motor Co. already was repairing the vehicles under a safety improvement campaign. The expanded recall announced Thursday night brings the vehicles under supervision of U.S. safety regulators. Owners will get new recall notices by mail.<br />
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Honda says a precise number of vehicles being added isn't available. Honda has recalled about 5 million vehicles in the U.S. for Takata air bag problems.<br />
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The expansion comes just a few days after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration demanded information in an investigation from Honda about its air bag recalls. The agency is looking into whether Honda failed to report information as required by law.<br />
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The newly recalled vehicles were sold or registered in 13 high-humidity states and territories. Humidity can cause the air bag propellant to burn too fast and potentially blow apart metal canisters. The problem has been linked to four deaths.<br />
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The recall covers the 2003 to 2005 Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2003-2004 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Pilot and the 2006 Ridgeline. Also included are the 2003-2005 Acura MDX and the 2005 Acura RL.<br />
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Affected states and territories include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam and American Samoa.<br />
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The Honda recalls are among nearly 8 million others made by 10 automakers, mainly in southern high humidity states, over the Takata air bags.<br />
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Honda said it decided to expand the recall after consulting with Takata and NHTSA as they investigate why airborne moisture can cause the air bags to malfunction.<br />
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