PERSONAL INJURY LAW: Honda Expands Global Recall Over Defective Air Bag

February 10, 2010

Tokyo - Honda Motor Co. has announced that it will expand its global recall which has started in 2008 after the company received complaints about the defective air bags that deploy with too much pressure, causing head and facial injuries to the drivers.<P>

In a statement, the company said that approximately 437,000 vehicles are added to the recall which covers the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, and other parts of Asia.

Honda public relations manager Natsuno Asanuma said the problem has been traced to a stamping machine the company has used in making air bag inflator.

Asanuma said the machine could have used insufficient pressure that may cause the inflator to rupture during deployment.

“All the air bags that were made by the said machine are included in the global recall”, Asanuma said.

Previous reports show there were 12 incidents linked to the defective air bag, with one of this resulting to death. However, the company said it did not receive complaints since July 2009.

The recalled vehicles include CR-V small sport utility vehicles, Civic compacts, Odyssey minivans, 2002 Acura TL sedans, and 2001 and 2002 Accord vehicles.

The recall over faulty air bags which started in November 2008 now covers nearly 1 million vehicles, in addition to more than 646,000 recalled Honda vehicles that were found to have a glitch in the hatchback which may cause the water to enter the power window, causing components to overheat.