Takata made the airbag inflators recalled worldwide after ruptures killed motorists.
Takata supplied airbags to many major automakers, including Honda, Toyota, Ford, General Motors, and BMW. In affected inflators, ammonium nitrate propellant could degrade after exposure to heat and humidity. When deployed, some inflators produced excessive pressure and ruptured, sending metal fragments into vehicle cabins.
The recalls expanded over many years and became one of the largest and most complex automotive safety campaigns ever conducted. The risk was especially associated with vehicles in hot, humid regions, although affected cars were recalled globally. At least 23 people were reported killed and hundreds injured in the United States in connection with the inflators.
Takata filed for bankruptcy in 2017, and its assets were acquired by Key Safety Systems. The recall is often confused with a single automaker campaign; in fact, it involved numerous brands using Takata-supplied components.