Honda says it is recalling 833,000 more vehicles to fix an air bag defect
that can cause these safety devices to deploy so forcefully that injury
or death can result. The automaker has recalled nearly 1.7 million vehicles
since the initial recall in 2008. Yesterday’s announcement was its
fourth action over the problem.
The air bags pose a safety hazard if they deploy with too much pressure
and cause the casing to rupture. Honda, however, has been quick to note
that only about 2,400 of the vehicles recalled this time actually pose
a hazard. Apparently, the recalled air bags, instead of the correct units,
were installed in these autos. The car manufacturer says it hasn’t
been able to track down these cars, which is why it announced this large recall.
Latest vehicles recalled include Honda Accords and Civics (some 2001 and
2002 models), Odysseys (2002 models), Acura 3.2 TL’s (Some 2002
and 2003 models), Acura 3.2 CL (some 2003 models) and CRV (some 2002 and
2003 models). The first recall in 2008 involved only 3,900 Civics and
Accords (2001 model). In 2009, Honda recalled another 444,000 vehicles,
including Civics (2001 models) and some Acura 3.2 Tls and Accords (2001
and 2002 models) over the same air bag problem. Last year, Honda expanded
the recall once more with another 378,000 autos. Among them were Civics
and Accords (2001 and 2002 models), CR-V and Odyssey (2002 model), Pilot
(2002 model) Acura 3.2 CLs (2003 model) and Acura 3.2 TLs (2002 and 2003 model).
Honda says the air bag defect has led to two deaths and a “small
number of injuries.” Company spokesperson Chris Martin, however,
said that these were not the cause of the latest recall.
The air bags in your auto need to work properly and be free of any defects
that could cause serious injury to passengers. This means having air bags
that deploy at the appropriate time, rate, and pressure and don’t
go off when they aren’t needed.
As our air bag defect lawyers have reported in the past, faulty air bags
can cause serious injuries to the head, brain, neck, spine, internal organs,
and other parts of the body.
Honda recalls 833,000 more cars for dangerous air bags, USA Today May 3, 2011
Honda Expands Air-Bag Recall to 833,000 Additional Vehicles, New York
Times, May 3, 2011
Contact our auto products liability law firm today.