The recall also covers several Acura models: the 2005-2012 Acura RL, 2009-2014 Acura TL, 2010-2013 Acura ZDX, 2013-2016 Acura ILX and the 2007-2016 Acura RDX, according to a Honda press release issued late February 3. About 24 million US vehicles are being recalled for that problem, which is the largest automotive recall in USA history.
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The recall is a big chunk of the 5 million additional vehicles to be repaired for Takata inflator problems that USA safety regulators announced last month. There have been 1,575 warranty claims, two reports of injuries, 83 field reports, and more.
Honda said the expanded recall includes 2016 models that hit the market this past autumn.
The additions would join previously-ordered recalls for 23 million ammonium-nitrate inflators in 19 million vehicles in the U.S.
It added that Honda would notify owners and that dealers would replace the inflator at no cost.
The company plans to replace the recalled inflators with new parts from an alternative supplier free of charge to Honda and Acura vehicle owners. In the meantime, the death toll and number of recalled vehicles keeps rising, with deaths reported recently outside of Pittsburgh and in Kershaw, South Carolina. CEO Shigehisa Takada, grandson of the company’s founder, may be forced to resign as the amount of money needed to carry out the recalls continues to rise, recent reports have said.
Fewer than two million affected vehicles are in the US, according to a spokeswoman for Continental in Auburn Hills, Mich. Continental Automotive is a division of Germany’s Continental AG. Takata is now looking to work with its rival supplier, Daicel Corp., to produce replacement airbag inflators and has asked Japanese automakers for financial support.
Mercedes also recalled 126,260 C-Series cars from 2008 and 2009 and GLK350 vehicles from 2010 previous year due to the issue. The company said the air bags may not inflate in a crash.
Honda said the affected models include the CR-V crossover (2007-2011), the CR-Z coupe (2011-2015), the Fit (2009-2014), the Insight hybrid (2010-2014), the Ridgeline (2007-2014) and its fuel cell sedan, the Honda FCX Clarity (2010-2014).
“I would classify this as a more traditional recall”, said Rebecca Lindland, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.
Recall letters will be send in mid-March and another one when the parts become available.
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that its investigators believe a SC driver was killed in December when an inflator in a Takata airbag exploded.
