TORRANCE, California — Honda announced late Tuesday that it is expanding a recall to replace a defective air bag inflator in an additional 378,758 vehicles in the U.S. This latest action adds to the mounting recall woes of Honda, which last month announced a separate recall of 646,000 2007-08 Fit, City and Jazz models worldwide for a fire hazard involving a power window switch. It is the latest in a string of global recalls for Toyota and Honda, two Japanese auto giants that for years were considered the quality benchmarks.
The latest Honda recall involves the 2001-02 Honda Accord, Civic, Odyssey, CR-V and selected 2002 Acura TL vehicles. One Honda Pilot and one Acura CL built in late 2002 are also part of the recall.
"The driver's air bag inflators in these vehicles may deploy with too much pressure, which can cause the inflator casing to rupture and could result in injury or fatality," said Honda in a statement. A ruptured air bag inflator could result in metal fragments passing through the air bag cushion material. Honda said it is aware of 12 incidents related to this issue as of February 2010.
Customer notification of the recall will start sometime in February. Honda said it is encouraging "all owners of these vehicles to take their vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification from Honda that their vehicle is affected."
The original recall began 16 months ago when Honda said it would replace the driver's air bag inflator in 4,000 of its 2001 Accord and Civic vehicles. "After the original recall in November 2008, two additional incidents were reported, including one fatality from a vehicle not included in that recall," said Honda in a statement. "Our ongoing analysis led us to recognize the potential for additional vehicles to exhibit this symptom, and in July, 2009 Honda expanded that recall to include approximately 440,000 model year 2001 and 2002 Accord, Civic and certain 2002 Acura TL vehicles."
Inside Line says: If you own one of the aforementioned Honda vehicles, get it in to your dealer for a fix ASAP. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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xoquixxoqafxo says:
06:11 PM, 02/10/2010
I already got this letter back in November on my 2001 Accord and the dealer already fixed it. Hopefully, do i need to take it back in? BTW old_cars_rock,
This recall is definetly NOT as bad as the toyota recalls, first of all toyota is recalling vehicles in the MILLIONS. and that is on new vehicles, most the these hondas are at or over 10 years old. This particular generation of hondas had a few trouble spots (transmissions) but new hondas today are not problematic. The fact that this is trouble when the airbag comes out cannot compare to ur car CAUSING you to get into an accident in the first place by holding the throttle at WOT. the fact is toyota has SCRWED UP big time and im sure they have lost the confidence of several million people. Which is why they are playing those lame ads asking ppl to have faith in their company...
lmoss says:
04:44 PM, 02/10/2010
I have had several Hondas and Toyotas. I have been pleased over and over by the quality of these cars. Even though they seem to be having issues with recalls lately, I still would buy from either company again in a heartbeat. I come from a Ford/Chevy family and nothing says "quality" like a Ford that can't get from point A to point B without breaking down or a Chevy Malibu that can't go over 65 on the highway without shaking and rattling like a bad Six Flag's roller coaster. My parents finally wised up and got rid of their American cars and have Hondas now. American cars have been pretty cheap all along and have had their fair share of recalls too, from wheels falling off (Chrysler SUVs) to fire issues (ford) to transmissions stalling while driving (Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV). Big deal that Honda and Toyota have finally succombed to having recall issues with their cars... they're still way better than American cars ... they'll fix their problems and move on. Get over it, people!!
angry_mushroom says:
04:20 PM, 02/10/2010
I'll stick to my Honda as opposed to the rusty, accelerating, and lacking brakes Toyota. Since I don't plan on crashing I don't really have to worry about anything to drastic.
old_cars_rock says:
01:23 PM, 02/10/2010
This is worse than a sticking accelerator pedal. At least I have a way to stop a car if its accelerator sticks. When the airbag deploys, I can't stop it...
jepontiac says:
09:20 AM, 02/10/2010
Honda is trying to hide their recall behind Toyota's ever going list of recalls. Actually it's a pretty good idea. Quick everyone post their recalls ASAP while the media feeds on Toyota's husk. Although this all has been good to bring people to their minds concerning the quality of these companies.
ahsanman99 says:
08:53 AM, 02/10/2010
why would they be replacing passenger side air bag on these 10 years old car?may be there are so many on the road and accords run forever.kinda pointless recall to me.
notabigdeal says:
08:20 AM, 02/10/2010
Are doing recalls somehow good for you balace sheet or income statement because everyone is doing it!