United States

Woman Killed by Takata Air Bag Inflator in California: Officials

More than 69 million Takata inflators are part of a recall in the U.S.

A 50-year-old woman was killed by a Takata air bag inflator in California, the 11th confirmed fatality tied to ruptures in the company's air bags in the United States, officials said Thursday.

The woman was driving a 2001 Honda Civic when she was killed Sept. 30 in Riverside County, according to a news release from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The air bags can inflate with too much force, which can cause their metal interiors to rupture and spew shrapnel into the vehicle.

The problem touched off what is now the largest auto recall in U.S. history. More than 69 million inflators have been or will be recalled in the U.S. and more than 100 million worldwide.

More information about the Takata air bag recalls can be found here.

The government urged people to go to safercar.gov and enter their vehicle identification number to see if their car or truck is being recalled.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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