US safety agency demands automakers, Takata expand air bag recall to entire nation

U.S. safety regulators are demanding that automakers expand a recall of cars with driver's air bags made by Takata Corp. to cover the entire nation.

Previously, cars have been recalled only in areas along the Gulf Coast with high humidity. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it's basing the decision on a recent incident that happened outside of those areas.

Air bags made by Takata can explode with too much force, sending shrapnel into the passenger compartment.

The safety agency says if Takata and automakers don't agree to the recall quickly, it will use its legal powers to make sure the inflators are recalled.

The owner of a 2007 Ford Mustang recently complained to the government about suffering an injury when an air bag malfunctioned in North Carolina.