Honda Recalls 273,000 More Vehicles Over Airbag Concerns

Airbag pressure problems have sparked another round of Honda recalls. This time, Honda Motor Co. is recalling 273,000 vehicles over the airbag issue, which could pose a danger to drivers.

In some incidents, the driver's airbag has deployed with such force in a crash that it shot pieces of metal into the driver, The New York Times reports.

More than a dozen drivers have been hurt and two have been killed, a Honda spokeswoman told the Times.

The problem appears to lie in the airbag's propellant, a Consumer Reports editor told the Associated Press:

Honda has already issued four other recalls since 2008 over the same airbag issue. The problem popped up again in August, in a model not previously recalled, the Times reports.

The new Honda recall, announced Dec. 2, affects popular models manufactured in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Vehicles recalled are the:

• 2001 and 2002 Honda Accords;
• 2001, 2002, and 2003 Honda Civics and Honda Odysseys;
• 2002 and 2003 Honda CR-Vs;
• 2003 Honda Pilot;
• 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL; and
• 2003 Acura 3.2 CL.

Owners of these vehicles should go to an authorized dealer for repairs, Honda says. The company is set to mail notices to affected owners later this month.

Honda has also set up two toll-free hotlines for concerned customers. Honda owners can call 1-800-999-1009; Acura owners can call 1-800-382-2238.

In all, more than 2.5 million vehicles have been recalled because of the airbag pressure problem, making this the largest Honda recall in history.

Related Resources:

• Statement by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Regarding Driver's Airbag Inflator Recall Expansion (Honda Motor Co.)
• Honda recalling 876,000 vehicles for airbag problems (The Detroit News)
• Car and Vehicle Defects and Recalls (FindLaw)