More than 300,000 Kiwi drivers could be affected by one of the biggest recalls in motoring history, according to an investigation by Fair Go.

The TV1 show found there were hundreds of reports of Takata airbags in many different models of vehicles failing to inflate fully in an accident. In some cases the inflator casing broke, sending metal shrapnel flying into peoples' faces.

At least 10 deaths in the US are related to the faulty airbag inflators. Photo: Stuff

There have been no reports of death or injury in New Zealand from the airbags but at least 10 deaths in the US are related to the faulty airbag inflators.

Around 300,000 vehicles in New Zealand need to have the part fixed, but figures showed no more than 60,000 had been replaced. That left around 240,000 faulty airbags which could be on the road.

"A very small number have exploded. People have been injured, some people have been killed reportedly from faulty airbag inflators going off during an accident," Motor Industry Association chief executive David Crawford told Fair Go.

"The airbags will probably operate perfectly OK but we can't guarantee it with the ones that have the Takata inflator."

New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) manager Robyn Elston told the programme there were safety ramifications "but no immediate risk to safety".

"In a recall the scale of the Takata airbags, there will be delays while replacement airbags are manufactured and replaced to appropriate standards.”

NZTA says faulty airbag inflators were in Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Isuzu, GM, Ford, Mitsubishi, Daihatsu, Ferrari and Chrysler vehicles.

Owners should look at recalls.govt.nz or contact the New Zealand head office of their car's manufacturer to see if they are affected.

- Stuff