Mazda is recalling 270,000 vehicles with Takata airbags that could potentially explode

Yikes! Check to see if your vehicle is affected.

Mazda is recalling nearly 270,000 vehicles that are equipped with Takata air bags.

“It has been determined that driver and/or passenger air bags supplied by Takata are defective and extremely dangerous,” Mazda said in a statement on its recall website.

According to the car company, exposure to high humidity and temperatures over time can affect chemicals used to inflate passenger and driver air bags. If the chemicals deteriorate, the air bag will deploy with too much force, causing metal shrapnel to explode from the bag. This poses a serious risk to drivers and passengers in the event of a crash.

The recall affects various 2003-2008 Mazda models.

“Based on independent investigations and NHTSA’s independent expert, NHTSA has concluded that the Takata air bags do not pose an unreasonable risk to safety until they reach a certain level of air bag chemical degradation,” the recall said.

So far, about 37 million vehicles have been recalled in the U.S. for problems with Takata airbags, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said.

Drivers can check to see if their vehicle is affected by visiting the Mazda recall website or NHTSA website.

Written by Susan Gonzalez for The Now.