Airbag maker announces largest recall in history

Airbag maker Tataka expanded an airbag recall of 18 million to 34 million Tuesday, making it the largest automotive recall in history.

Five deaths of drivers and passengers have been linked to exploding shrapnel from the airbags, although an official with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the causes are still unknown. According to CNNMoney, most of the fatalities occurred in cars made by Honda, but the recall affects other makes and models manufactured between 2000 and 2011.

As of late February, the NHTSA has fined the Japan-based company a maximum penalty of $14,000 a day for failing to cooperate with the agency’s probe into the faulty airbags. As of Tuesday, fines totaled $1.2 million.

The agency has created a website, SaferCar.gov, where drivers can enter their vehicle’s VIN to see if it is affected by the recall.

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