Takata airbag recall expanded in the US – McLaren, Audi, Ferrari, Tesla, Lexus models added to the list

The United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced that more than 20 high-performance models will be added the Takata airbag fiasco, further expanding the world’s biggest automotive recall in history.

Surprisingly, the list includes many new cars, which seem to indicate that manufacturers are still using non-desiccated Takata inflators with ammonium nitrate in their vehicles. As a recap, airbag inflators without a drying agent, when subjected to moisture and heat, can cause the propellant within the inflator to be rendered unstable.

As a result, they explode with excessive force when the airbag deploys, rupturing its container and spraying vehicle occupants with metal shards. Several deaths have been linked with the defective airbags, including in Malaysia as well.

According to the safety agency’s recall list, Ferrari is the most affected brand, with its entire 2016-2017 line-up being affected. Models such as the 488 GTB, 488 Spider, F12tdf, F60 and GTC4Lusso all come with defective Takata airbag inflators, adding to a previous recall.

Tesla also joins the recall for the first time, with all 2012-2016 Model S sedans being affected. Other sports cars affected include the 2017 Audi R8, 2016-2016 Audi TT, 2016-2017 McLaren 570S, 2012 Fisker Karma, 2012 Lexus LFA and 2011-2015 McLaren P1.

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