Honda airbag recall grows to 822,000 vehicles Safety device could overinflate and possibly injure or kill the driver

[spookyturtle 9,466]

DETROIT - Honda Motor Co. is adding more than 378,000 cars to an existing safety recall for air bag inflation problems, the company said Tuesday.

The company will replace the driver's side air bag inflator on the cars because they can deploy with too much pressure, causing the inflator to rupture and injure or kill the driver.

The recall now affects more than 822,000 vehicles, including certain 2001 and 2002 Accord sedans, Civic compacts, Odyssey minivans, CR-V small sport utility vehicles and some 2002 Acura TL sedans.

Honda said it is aware of 12 incidents linked to the problem, with 11 injuries and one death. The company said it is not aware of any problems happening after July 2009.

"However, we have concluded that we cannot be completely certain that the driver's air bag inflator in the vehicles being added to this recall at this time will perform as designed," Honda said in a statement.

Honda's announcement comes at a time of increased attention on automotive recalls. Though the problems are unrelated, rival Toyota Motor Corp. in the process of recalling more than 8 million cars and trucks due to faulty gas pedals. On Tuesday, Toyota said it would recall more than 440,000 of its flagship 2010 Prius hybrids due to a braking glitch.

"There is a heightened sensitivity right to anything to do with recalls," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda.

Honda originally announced the recall to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in November of 2008, involving fewer than 4,000 2001 Accords and Civics, the company said. The recall was expanded in July of 2009 to 440,000 vehicles including the 2001 and 2002 Accord and Civic, as well as certain 2002 Acura TL sedans.

Worldwide, Honda has recalled about 514,000 vehicles globally due to the airbag problem. The company said it would make issue a press release at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Tokyo (9 p.m. Tuesday EST) about how many vehicles are affected worldwide by the latest recall expansion.

Company officials said the airbag produces too much pressure that can cause the inflator to rupture, sending metal fragments toward the driver.

Honda says owners should take their vehicles to dealerships as soon as they are notified by the company in writing. Notification will begin during the month of February.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35320665/ns/business-autos/

[natty bumppo 297]

air bag problems ... where is steven? he has lots of hot air to fix this problem .....

[scandal 951]

blah blah Honda blah blah recall blah blah

Why do you hate Honda?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Why do you hate Honda?

I don't hate Honda or Toyota. I just want to open some eyes.

[natty bumppo 297]

I don't hate Honda or Toyota. I just want to open some eyes.

genII airbags ... did honda not get the ancient meno?

[dakay ♥ 10]

recently problems with Toyota now Honda, who next? what insecurity!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

air bag problems ... where is steven? he has lots of hot air to fix this problem .....

As I'm sure you are well aware, openly baiting another member in this manner is a TOS violation. Considering you don't like to be on the receiving end of banter because of an apparent fragile ego, you'd serve yourself better by not initiating it in the various threads that you do. If not, I'd recommend wearing a helmet and shoulder pads so as to prevent that fragile ego of yours from being bruised when I banter right back at you.

[mawilson 2,133]

Why do you hate Honda?

Jap cars suck.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Jap cars suck.

What's the difference between a GM plant in Mexico and a Honda plant in the U.S.? Which car is more American?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

In 2006, three new JAMA member auto and auto parts manufacturing plants will open, with a fourth plant opening in 2008. Our members will invest an estimated $1.73 billion in building these four new plants. By 2007, our members also will have invested an additional $382 million in two existing engine plants to increase their manufacturing capacity. By 2008, our members’ investment in U.S. auto and auto parts manufacturing plants will have grown to a projected total of $30.09 billion. Today, the cumulative investment in the U.S stands at $28 billion.

Of course, American workers will operate those new facilities. Our members estimate that 4,680 more Americans will be hired to work in them, for an estimated total of 62,594 U.S. plant employees by 2008. Our members (including distributors) and their dealers today employ 431,738 Americans in 25 plants, 36 research facilities, 7,050 dealership franchises and additional distributor offices.

American workers in our members’ American plants produced nearly 3.5 million American-made cars and trucks in 2005, an increase of 10% over 2004. Our purchases of U.S. auto parts have kept pace with this growth in production. Our American parts purchases were $48.44 billion in 2005, reflecting growth of 7% over 2004.

link

[CDAgirlMI 51]

Jap cars suck.

Hmmmm.......

[mawilson 2,133]

What's the difference between a GM plant in Mexico and a Honda plant in the U.S.? Which car is more American?

If there's no difference, why do you buy Japanese? Next time you go shopping for a new car,

buy GM - same difference, right?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If there's no difference, why do you buy Japanese? Next time you go shopping for a new car,

buy GM - same difference, right?

I personally look at the reviews, particularly with Consumer Reports. I currently own a Hyundai, which is a Korean auto maker. If I were in the market to get a new car right now, my first choice would be Ford's Fusion.

[mawilson 2,133]

I personally look at the reviews, particularly with Consumer Reports. I currently own a Hyundai, which is a Korean auto maker. If I were in the market to get a new car right now, my first choice would be Ford's Fusion.

Fair enough. I hear Hyundai Genesis is a good car.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Fair enough. I hear Hyundai Genesis is a good car.

Hyundai has plants here in the U.S. as well. I just don't think the geographical labels really mean much anymore.