Takata airbag saga: Now Daimler in massive recall

Detroit, Michigan - Daimler is recalling 840 000 vehicles in the US because they have potentially defective driver's side airbags made by Takata.

The recall affects Mercedes-Benz cars and SUVs from the 2005-2014 model years, including C-Class, E-Class, SLK and SLS sedans and M-Class, GL-Class and R-Class SUVS. It also includes 2007-2014 Sprinter and Freightliner vans.

Read: Exploding airbags: 2.2-million Hondas to be recalled

Daimler says the recall is precautionary and no one has been injured in any of its vehicles. Daimler says the US government alerted it to potential problems.

Takata air bags can inflate with too much force and spew metal fragments. More than 24-million vehicles have been recalled in the US because of the problem, which is blamed for 11 deaths worldwide.

Daimler has booked a $384-million charge to pay for vehicle repairs.

*At the time of publication, we have not received comment from Mercedes-Benz South Africa on whether locals cars are affected.