Nissan Expands Explosive Air Bag Recall to 52,738 Vehicles

Nissan is expanding a recall for vehicles equipped with Takata air bags that now affects 52,738 vehicles in 12 U.S. states and territories.

The previous recall in June included 30,000 vehicles in four U.S. states and territories, and the automaker has expanded the number after receiving more information from Takata and consulting with federal regulators, Reuters reported.

Nissan is calling for repairs on vehicles in areas with high humidity since moisture seems to affect the air bags' tendency to explode. The automaker has received three injury claims related to the faulty air bags, which can send shrapnel flying at the vehicle's occupants during a crash.

The recall affects Pathfinder SUVs from model years 2003-'04, Sentra cars from 2004-'06, Infiniti FX35 and FX45 crossover SUVs from 2003-'05, Infiniti I35 sedans from 2003-'04 and Infiniti M35 and M45 sedans from 2006.

Last April, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration described the risk by saying "the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking and potentially seriously injuring the passenger seat occupant or other occupants," according to The Wall Street Journal.

Automakers have recalled 17 million vehicles worldwide so far due to the Takata air bags, which have been related to at least four deaths in the U.S. and more than a dozen injuries.

Honda in particular has been under pressure from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as the agency examines the automaker's involvement with the defective air bags. Federal regulators recently issued a special order to Honda calling for documentation that includes all internal communication about the problem.

Safety advocates and affected owners blame Honda as well, saying that the automaker was aware that the air bags could explode a decade ago.