Mazda recalls 270,000 vehicles with air bag explosion risk

Mazda is recalling airbags in several models that have the potential to explode, causing serious injury to drivers and passengers.

Materials in the airbags degrade with exposure to humidity and heat and can explode with metal shrapnel in the event of a crash. The recall effects nearly 270,000 vehicles, including certain 2003-2008 Mazda6, 2006-2007 Mazdaspeed6 and 2004 MPV vehicles nationwide and 2005-2006 MPV models in certain states, according to the Associated Press.

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Affected customers will be notified by mail. Customers can also check for recalls on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website using their vehicle identification number.

Twenty-three deaths and over 300 injuries worldwide are linked to Takata air bags, according to the National Highway Safety Administration. About 37 million vehicles are equipped with the defective air bags.

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