So far, more than 20 million cars have been recalled due to the risk of violent airbag explosions.
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All told, the problem with Takata airbag inflators will have forced Honda and its Acura luxury brand to recall 8.51 million vehicles, more than any other manufacturer. More than 21 million USA cars from 12 different automakers have been recalled for faulty Takata airbags that can shoot shrapnel into drivers face and neck. ( HMC ) is recalling 2.23 million vehicles in the US because of air bags made by Takata Corp. that could explode if the airbag deploys.
The defective airbags are blamed for nine deaths in the U.S. Affected vehicles include model-year 2007-2016 models from Honda as well as its Acura luxury division.
Unfortunately, as with the Takata recall, Honda doesn’t have enough replacement parts to begin fixing Accords yet.
Honda said it has received 1,575 warranty claims, 83 field reports and 2 confirmed injuries related to the defect.
Earlier this week, Toyota Motor Corp said it was recalling 320,000 2003-2006 US vehicles because of improper programming that could allow them to deploy when not necessary.
The complete list of models included in the 5-million-vehicle recall campaign has not been released.
Honda’s recall includes older model years dating back to 2005, as well as some newer 2015 and 2016 models.
According to Continental’s filing with NHTSA, the power supply component of the air bag control units may corrode and lead to malfunction, causing “certain components to deactivate, which will then cause the airbag warning lamp to illuminate”.
Honda spokeswoman Yuka Abe would not say where the other recalls will be.
The Takata airbag debacle is still underway, but when it rains, it pours.
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Last year, Mercedes recalled 126,260 C-Series cars from 2008 and 2009 and 2010 GLK350 vehicles because of the problem. Honda is Takata’s largest customer and has stopped buying its inflators for new models. Drivers with an activated supplemental restraint system light should visit a dealer for a fix from the parts on hand, the company said. Continental says it is notifying the manufacturers, which each will issue individual recalls. But many cars that have not undergone any basic design changes, including to the driver’s seat, since before 2008 are said to still contain desiccant-free air bags.
