Toyota and Nissan are recalling millions of cars over concerns regarding potentially faulty airbags - 27,000 Toyotas and 15,500 Nissans are affected.

The Toyota recall involves 24,000 Corolla, Yaris and Avensis Verso models which were built between April 2004 and November 2007 for potential problems with passenger airbags, and 3,000 Rav4 and Hi-Lux models built between July 2003 and November 2005 over concerns regarding driver airbags.

Toyota Ireland has said that owners of these vehicles will be contacted in writing.

Nissan is recalling 15,500 Patrols, Tinos, Almeras, X-Trails, Terrano and D22 trucks in Ireland.

The security concerns relate to Takata airbags. In April 2013 Toyota recalled 26,000 Yaris, Corolla and Avensis models - this was also over fears regarding Takata airbags.

Concerns over the same safety fault have prompted recalls by Honda, BMW, Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, Subaru, Mazda and Mitsubishi - in total over 25 million cars have been recalled since 2008.

The fear is that Takata air bag inflators eject with too much force, spraying shrapnel inside the car.