Takata air bag recalls could expand to 7 more companies

DETROIT (AP) — Seven more companies including electric car maker Tesla Motors could be facing recalls because they use air bag inflators made by Takata Corp.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration raised the possibility in letters sent to the manufacturers last week.

So far about 23.4 million Takata driver and passenger air bag inflators have been recalled on 19.2 million U.S. vehicles sold by 11 different companies, including Honda and Fiat Chrysler. The inflators can explode with too much force, spewing metal shrapnel. At least eight people have died worldwide and hundreds have been injured because of the problem.

The agency sent letters last week to Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar-Land Rover, Suzuki, Tesla, Volvo Trucks, Volkswagen and Spartan Motors seeking information on which models have Takata inflators.