TOKYO: Japanese automaker Honda said yesterday it was extending its US recall nationwide on cars with potentially deadly airbags made by auto parts maker Takata, in a further blow to the embattled firm.
Malfunctioning Takata airbags have been linked with five deaths, including a woman driving a 2003 Honda City in Malaysia, and hundreds of injuries. Honda said it is recalling a further 3.2 million vehicles across the US — this is on top of the 2.8 million already recalled in selected states.
“With the expansion of the programme, the figure will reach six million vehicles” being recalled in the US, the automaker’s Tokyo-based spokesman said.
Millions of vehicles produced by some of the world’s biggest automakers, including Honda, Toyota and General Motors, have already been recalled due to the risk its airbags can deploy with excessive explosive power and send shrapnel hurtling inside the car.
Since 2008, Honda has recalled 9.65 million vehicles worldwide in connection with Takata airbags.
AFP
