Honda Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. may have to recall another 200,000 cars in Japan to replace Takata Corp. air bags if the maker complies with a U.S. order to recall cars across the United States rather than just in humid regions.
Several automakers in the United States have issued regional recalls of certain models to investigate what is causing some Takata air bags to explode with excessive force. U.S. safety regulators have ordered the company to have those recalls expanded nationwide.
Takata has so far resisted a wider U.S. recall, saying it could divert replacement parts away from the high-humidity regions believed to need them most — due to moisture possibly breaking down the air bag inflator's chemical mix. Takata has until Tuesday to respond to the U.S. regulator's order.