Honda expands airbag defect recall by an additional 378,758 vehicles

Japan's second-largest automaker Honda Motor Co is recalling an additional 378,758 vehicles in the US, adding to a previous recall to replace a defect in the driver's airbag inflator.

Honda Motor is recalling 2001 and 2002 models of its Accord sedans, Civic compacts, Odyssey minivans, CR-V small sport utility vehicles and a few 2002 Acura TL sedans to repair driver air bags that may deploy too much pressure, causing the airbag casing to rupture and possibly result in injuries or fatalities.

The expanded recall brings the total recall to more than 826,000 Honda and Acura vehicles over a series of airbag defects that began in 2008.

In November, 2008, Honda recalled 4,000 Accord and Civic 2001 models to replace the driver's airbag inflator, based on four complaints and then extended the recall in July, 2009 to 440,000 Accord and Civic 2001 and 2002 models and certain 2002 Acura TL vehicles after 12 airbag related complaints in the US.

This latest recall comes at a time when its larger rival Toyota Motor Corporation has launched the biggest recall in its history, for over 8 million of its vehicles globally for mechanical problem involving sticking gas pedals that cause vehicles to accelerate unintentionally and oversized floor mat that could jam the accelerator pedal. (See: Toyota recalls another 2.3 million vehicles)

Honda said yesterday that there were two types manufacturing machines used in pressing the inflator propellant. One propellant manufacturing process allowed it to verify that all of the propellant was within specification, but the carmaker cannot validate the other process to its satisfaction at this time.