Air bag-maker Takata struggling with quality processes, panel finds

DETROIT – An outside panel hired by embattled air bag-maker Takata Corp. says the company lacks processes to improve product quality including air bag inflators that have been blamed for at least 11 deaths and 139 injuries.

The panel chaired by former U.S. Transportation Secretary Samuel Skinner finds that Takata has no program in place to find quality problems with its products once they are installed in cars and trucks. It also faults the company for letting products move through the design process with unresolved problems.

It says Takata needs to develop its own standards for testing quality and safety rather than relying on automakers and regulators.

The group released its findings and recommendations on Tuesday, about a year after the panel was formed.