Recall of Takata air bags in US could grow by 35 million: source

New York

REGULATORS were expected to announce as early as Wednesday that at least 35 million additional air bags made by Takata will need to be fixed, according to a person briefed on the matter. This would more than double what is already the largest vehicle recall in US history.

The air bags can unexpectedly explode, sending metal parts hurtling into the cabin. At least 11 deaths worldwide have been linked to the defect.

The expansion would bring the total of recalled Takata air bags to at least 63 million in the United States - possibly affecting nearly one-in-four of the 250 million vehicles on US roads.

At issue is Takata's use of a compound called ammonium nitrate, which can become unstable over time or when it is exposed to moisture. Takata has wrestled with the makeup of the compound over the years, eventually adding a drying agent to m…