Car dealerships prepare for Takata airbag recall repairs

One in seven cars on the road has a faulty airbag.

The Takata airbag recall was expanded Tuesday to nearly 34 million cars, and it’s affecting local dealerships.

Learning about the recall is just the first step in fixing the problem.

“When a recall is released, we are completely reliant on what the manufacturer submits to us as far as information on when the parts will available and how the fix is to be done,” said Cannon Smith, general manager of Smith Honda.

Sometimes the parts can take months to arrive, and in major recalls like this, dealers have to plan ahead and set appointments.

Takata supplies airbags for various car brands. The quickest way to find out whether your car is affected is by going to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website.

Because government officials and car manufacturers are still trying to figure out how many cars are affected, your car may not show up right away, and you should check back in a few weeks to be certain.