Nissan recalling 260,000 vehicles globally with Takata air bags

TOKYO (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co said on Thursday it is recalling 260,000 vehicles globally due to a defect in driver-side air bags made by Takata Corp.

The Japanese parts maker is at the centre of a burgeoning number of recalls over air bags that could spray shrapnel at occupants.

The recalls affect Nissan's March model, called Micra in Europe, and the Cube, a Nissan spokesman said. They are chiefly in Japan, with 104,905 cars, 30,000 in Europe and 11,000 in China, he said.

The Japanese recall covers models from 2008 to 2012, he said. He was not immediately able to provide more details on regions or model years.

U.S. safety regulators on Wednesday expanded the number of Takata-equipped vehicles in the United States that may be affected by recalls to 7.8 million vehicles by 10 carmakers.

(Reporting by Maki Shiraki; Writing by William Mallard; Editing by Ryan Woo)