GM to recall 7 million cars on faulty airbag inflators

GM will recall some 7 million cars worldwide that contain potentially dangerous airbag inflators.

David Shepardson reported for Reuters:

General Motors Co will recall 7 million vehicles worldwide with potentially dangerous Takata air bag inflators after a U.S. safety agency said Monday it had rejected the Detroit automaker’s petition to avoid the callback.

The recall is expected to cost the Detroit automaker $1.2 billion.

The Wall Street Journal’s Dave Sebastian wrote:

GM had asked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration not to order a recall of the vehicles because the auto maker believed they were safe. The agency denied that request Monday, saying its research shows Takata inflaters installed in GM vehicles are prone to the deadly explosions reported in other auto makers’ cars.

CBS noted:

“The GM recall is a huge step in the right direction,” said Grace Brombach of U.S. PIRG Education Fund, a consumer advocacy group, in a statement. “Air bags exist to protect drivers, not to do more harm. Vehicle owners shouldn’t have to worry that their car’s air bag could be the thing that kills them during a minor fender bender or a more serious collision.”