Honda is expanding a recall related to faulty air bags manufactured by Takata to 500,000 to 1 million automobiles. The recall is part of a federal probe into parts manufactured by Takata for Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Chrysler and Toyota.
The airbags have affected eight automobile manufacturers so far, many of them Japanese models, but some American as well. The number of Honda vehicles impacted may hit 3 million.
The recall now includes many U.S. states and territories including California, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to sources. In April 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reportedly stated that the inflator in the airbag compartment could rupture with metal fragments that could seriously injure occupants of the vehicles.
2003-'05 Honda Accords, Civics, CR-Vs, Elements, Pilots, Acura MDX and 2005 Acura RLs and 2003-'04 Honda Odysseys will need replacement airbags. The faulty airbags are linked to six injuries and two deaths in 2009 from Honda vehicles. The NHTSA believes the propellant used for the inflators was not stored properly and possibly exposed to moisture. This reportedly made the propellant too powerful.
Another related recall will replace the driver's front air bag. 2001-'07 Accords with four-cylinder engines; 2001-'02 Accords with V-6 engines; 2001-'05 Civics; 2002-'06 CR-Vs; 2003-'11 Elements; 2002-'04 Odysseys; 2003-'07 Pilots; 2006 Ridgelines; 2003-'06 Acura MDXs and 2002-'03 Acura TLs and CLs are all part of that recall. The cars in this recall are in the same states as the previously mentioned.
Takata has yet to disclose how much recalls will cost them.
Acura is recalling their halogen headlights, in other automobile recall news. They recently released a statement regarding the issue.
Their recall involves more than 14,000 model-year 2013-'14 ILX vehicles in the U.S. Halogen headlights are to be replaced by Acura free of charge. At least one fire was reported. In that case, a vehicle was parked with its engine running and lights on for hours. No other crashes or injuries related to the bulbs were reported.
The design of headlight bulbs suffers from a flaw. It reportedly does not let enough heat escape, which presents a dangerous situation, particularly if the vehicle remains idling for extended periods of time.
Acura reportedly made the recall decision voluntarily and wants to encourage customers to bring their car in to have these replacements made promptly.
As the bulb sits within the assembly, plastic parts get heated up and begin to melt. This has a snowball effect, which eventually leads to a fire in the passenger cars from Acura. Acura mailed notifications to their customers, too. The notifications should start arriving in late July.
