5 Airbag recalls

More than 3.8 million cars from nine different brands were recalled across the nation due to a number of safety issues involving airbags manufactured by Tokyo-based Takata Co.

China's quality watchdog has issued recalls on 41 imported and domestically produced models made from 1999 to 2014 from such brands as Honda, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Infiniti, Mazda, Subaru and BMW.

China's recalls began in April of last year, although Takata denied there were any casualties in China as a result of its airbags. More automakers are investigating their Takata supplied airbags.

An airbag is supposed to work for a car's lifetime, unless it is damaged in a flood. The reliability of an airbag is not among factors checked in regular maintenance examinations and there is no way to physically examine an installed airbag.

[Photo provided to China Daily]