Takata says subject of US criminal probe on air bag flaws

TOKYO - Japan's Takata Corp is the subject of a US criminal investigation over potentially defective car air bags that have been linked to five deaths globally, a company spokesman said on Thursday.

A federal grand jury in US District Court for the Southern District of New York has subpoenaed Takata's US unit to produce documents related to air bag defects, the spokesman said.

A criminal investigation into the Japanese company by federal prosecutors had been previously reported, but Thursday's statement is the first indication that a seated grand jury was seeking evidence.

The National Highway Transport Safety Administration (NHTSA) has also issued a special order to the Takata unit demanding documents and other evidence related to air bag defects. Takata has until Dec. 1 to comply with that order.

The company disclosed the probe in a closed door meeting with financial analysts earlier on Thursday, according to an account from one participant.