Airbag Recall Expanded To 11 Million Vehicles, Linked To Four Deaths

The government is expanding a recall of millions of airbags, saying they can potentially explode and send shrapnel flying through the vehicle.

It's one of the biggest vehicle recalls most Americans can recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says airbags made by Takata may have metal pieces inside that fly out when they're inflated during a wreck.

The recall has been expanded to include almost 5 million vehicles - bringing the total to around 11 million. Four deaths may be linked to the defect, including that of Ashley Parham of Oklahoma.

5/28/2009 Related Story: Teen Dies After Possible Honda Malfunction

Parham died after her airbags deployed, sending an object into the teen's neck, said Cherokee Ballard, spokeswoman for the Medical Examiner's office.

So far, nine auto makers, including, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, General Motors and Ford have issued recalls.

In fact, Toyota considers the Takata passenger bags so dangerous, dealers are being told to shut off passenger bags if an owner comes in for the recall repair - and the parts are not available.

See What Vehicles Are Included In The Recall