BMW is following other car makers by recalling 1.6 million vehicles worldwide that have airbags made by Takata Corp. The German automaker says that when these airbags are deployed they could break apart and injure passengers.

BMW wants to replace the passenger-side airbags in their 3-series cars with the model years between May 1999 and August 2006.

The decision to recall the cars is in addition to a regional recall requested by U.S. safety regulators. That recall affected both front airbags. BMW is deciding to expand their recall worldwide.

Last year, a recall of 240,000 cars worldwide was made for the same issue. 

"As a precaution, we just feel now that the right thing to do is just to bring them all in and replace the passenger-side air bag," BMW spokesman Dave Buchko said. 

Takata has supplied the airbags to several different car makers around the world. More than 12 million vehicles have been recalled over the past five years that had Takata-supplied airbags.

Buchko says that BMW isn't aware of any injuries or accidents related to the airbag issue in its vehicles. 

In this recall, about 574,000 cars were sold in the U.S., about 450,000 in Germany and about 189,000 in the United Kingdom. Last year, there were 42,000 cars recalled for the same issue in the U.S. 

The regional recall affects Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Ford and Chrysler. It is up to the individual carmakers to expand their recalls like BMW did.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is aware of at least six reports of air bags rupturing. These occurred in Florida and Puerto Rico and three people were injured in those cases.

A small recall was also added by BMW. That included 26 Mini cars and one 2014 BMW i3.

Takata is a Tokyo-based auto supply company that provides seat belts, air bags, steering wheels and other auto parts to car makers.

What do you think of all the recent recalls involving the Takata airbags?