Volkswagen May Issue Recall Over Air Bags

German automaker Volkswagen may have to recall 447,000 cars after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating reports that side air bags discharged without a crash.

The inquiry involves 2001 to 2003 Golf, GTI and Jetta cars, NHTSA said. The Washington-based agency has received 107 reports related to the air bags, including 19 injuries such as bruises, scrapes and minor cuts.

Volkswagen is cooperating with NHTSA, company spokesman Tony Fouladpour said.