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Detroit - The US government is trying to get automakers to move faster to fix 42-million vehicles that are being recalled because of potentially deadly Takata airbag inflators.
Expressing renewed concern about the pace of the recall, which is the largest ever for the US auto industry, officials from the National Highway Safety Administration (NHSA) released a schedule for further recalls on Friday (December 9) and said the agency would require all 19 companies involved to submit plans to reach more owners.
Eventually, about 69-million inflators that can potentially explode with too much force and spew shrapnel into people will be recalled. Some cars will have both the driver side and passenger side air bags replaced.
18% completion rate so far
As of last week, however, only 12.5-million, or about 18%, of the inflators had been replaced, and NHTSA said some automakers weren't doing enough to contact owners. The agency ordered the companies to turn in a "recall engagement plan" within 90 days to increase the completion rate.
11 people have been killed by Takata inflators in the US and as many as 16 worldwide. The government says about 180 people have been hurt in the US alone.
Recalls are being phased in through the end of 2020. NHTSA added sports car maker McLaren to the list of affected automakers.
Read: Takata airbag saga: BMW recalls 4000 SUVs
NHTSA officials said the recalls have been proceeding slowly in part because of a lack of available parts. Different cars need different air bag inflators, so it's not always easy to snap new parts into place.
The agency said some consumers also haven't gotten repairs even though parts are available. The agency is urging anyone who gets a recall notice to contact a dealer and get their vehicle repaired as quickly as possible.
Normally, around 70% of consumers complete recall repairs, the agency said. In this case, NHTSA wants the recall repair rate to achieve 100%.
Read: Takata airbag saga: 300 000 Honda owners face grave danger
Takata inflators use the explosive chemical ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion that inflates airbags in a crash. But the chemical can deteriorate when exposed to high heat and humidity, causing it to burn too fast. That can blow apart a metal canister designed to contain the explosion.
NHTSA on Friday released a complete list of models covered by current and future Takata recalls. The full list can be found in an announcement issued Friday. Click on "Amended Coordinated Remedy Order" and scroll to "Amended Annex A" at the end to search for your vehicle.