GM adds more than 243K cars to Takata air bag recall

Detroit — General Motors is adding more than 243,000 compact hatchbacks in the U.S. and Canada to the growing recall for air bags that can explode with too much force.

The company says the expanded recall for passenger air bags covers the Pontiac Vibe from 2003 through 2007. The cars were designed by Toyota and made at jointly owned factory in California. They’re twins of the Toyota Matrix, which was recalled earlier.

Takata Corp. of Japan agreed in May to double the size of its air bag inflator recall to 33.8 million, making it the largest automotive recall in U.S. history.

Takata air bag inflators can blow apart a metal canister, sending shrapnel into the passenger compartment. At least seven deaths and more than 100 injuries have been blamed on the problem.