The recall of the defective airbags – which have been linked to six deaths and more than a hundred injuries worldwide – will now be extended to cover 11 manufacturers in the US due to concerns over exploding parts. Exact vehicles to be affected are yet to be announced but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the total figure of vehicles affected could increase.

"We know that owners are worried about their safety and the safety of their families," said Mark Rosekind, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as he announced the agreement. "This is probably the most complex consumer safety recall in US history."

Shigehisa Takada, chairman & CEO of Takata Corporation, said: “We have worked extensively with NHTSA and our automaker customers over the past year to collect and analyze a multitude of testing data in an effort to support actions that work for all parties and, most importantly, advance driver safety. We are committed to continuing to work closely with NHTSA and our automaker customers to do everything we can to advance the safety of drivers.”

Prior to the latest announcement, the issue had led to the recall of 36 million vehicles worldwide.