Senators ask gov't for nationwide air bag recall

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-EXCITE

By TOM KRISHER

DETROIT (AP) — Two U.S. senators are calling on regulators to issue a nationwide recall of cars with faulty air bags made by Takata Corp., questioning why automakers have been allowed to limit recalls to only certain locations with high humidity.

Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Edward Markey of Massachusetts made the demand in a letter to Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, who oversees the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Air bag inflators made by Takata can rupture, causing metal fragments to fly out in a crash. Safety advocates say the problem has caused four deaths and multiple injuries. So far automakers have recalled about 12 million vehicles worldwide due to the problem.

But in the U.S., many automakers have limited their recalls to certain high-humidity areas. Takata has recommended that automakers conduct recalls only in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands — areas with high "absolute" humidity. Some automakers have included a few more states, but cars in many states with high humidity levels have been excluded.

FULL story at link.



This combination made from file photos shows U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., left, and Ed Markey, D-Mass. In a letter delivered Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014, Blumenthal and Markey are calling on regulators to issue a nationwide recall of cars with faulty air bags made by Takata Corp., questioning why automakers have been allowed to limit recalls to only certain locations with high humidity. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke, Stephan Savoia)

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141023/us--air_bag_recall-17e6bf732a.html

[Dont call me Shirley]

1. Thank you Senators!

Thanks for posting!