Japanese airbag maker Takata launches biggest car recall in US history
The Japanese manufacturer behind millions of airbags has recalled 34m vehicles, making it the largest car recall in US history.
Takata, which makes airbags for Toyta, Nissan and Honda vehicles, said a problem with airbags on the driver's side affects cars from 11 manufacturers, although today's announcement only mentioned certain models of Honda Accords and Honda Civics.
The company has previously recalled 16.6m vehicles, after six deaths and more than 100 injuries were linked to the defective airbags.
Although no cause for the defects have been found, the US' National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said airbags "may rupture from exposure to persistent conditions of high absolute humidity due to manufacturing variability".
Analysis of tests "points to moisture infiltrating the defective inflators over extended periods of time as a factor", it added.
US transportation secretary Anthony Foxx said the recall was a "proactive step necessary to ensure that defective inflators are replaced with safe ones as quickly as possible".
"Today is a major step forward for public safety," he added.
Nissan, Toyota, Daihatsu and Honda have all previously made recalls over the defective airbags.