DHAKA: Toyota is recalling another 1.6 million vehicles equipped with faulty air bags.

The Japanese car maker has recalled nearly 15 million vehicles fitted with the bags since 2013, reports the BBC.

This recall includes 22 models sold in Japan, including the Corolla and Vitz, made between January 2004 and December 2005, as well as vehicles in Italy, Britain and Spain.

The inflators, manufactured by Japan’s Takata, can explode with too much force, sending out shrapnel.

No injuries were reported in Toyota vehicles related to the latest defect, which affects the passenger seat air bag, but a person in a Nissan car was injured recently in Japan.

Toyota, Ford, Honda and Nissan have decided not to use Takata inflators in vehicles under development.

At least eight people have been killed worldwide and hundreds injured in incidents involving the bags.

In the US, where over 19 million vehicles have been recalled because of the problem, it faces penalties of up to $200m as part of a deal with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recalls have wiped out Takata’s profits.

This month, it reported a half-year loss of 5.6bn yen ($45.8 million) due to recall costs and cut its profit forecast for the full year by 75%.

BDST: 1520 HRS, Nov 26, 2015
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