U.S. will not require automakers to recall 56 million Takata air bag inflators

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday it will not require automakers to require 56 million additional Takata air bag inflators, saying the devices do not pose a safety risk.

Automakers in the United States have previously more than 60 million Takata air bag inflators that could explode when deployed sending deadly metal fragments flying in a defect linked to at least 25 deaths worldwide.

The agency said it will continue to monitor their performance over time. NHTSA said separately Volkswagen AG will recall 370,000 vehicles with Takata inflators with the drying agent.

(Reporting by David Shepardson, Editing by Franklin Paul)