Continental recalling millions of cars over defective air bags

The latest expansion affects a more recent batch of cars than Honda had previously included in its Takata airbag recalls, which primarily involved a range of 2001-2008 Honda and Acura cars. Reuters reports that the automaker has received over 1,000 warranty claims involving airbags that didn’t deploy.

Honda plans to replace all of the recalled inflators with new parts. If the test indicates a failure of the SRS electronic control unit, the dealer will use a limited supply of replacement parts to fix the vehicle. At least two injuries are attributed to the defect.

Preliminary indications are that as many as 5 million vehicles may ultimately need to be recalled to replace the airbag control modules. The Honda recall is part of a recall of 5 million Continental airbags.

The recalls also include vehicles made by Volkswagen AG, Mazda Motor Corp, Kia Motors Corp, Volvo AB and Daimler AG.

“This is the largest, most expensive recall problem in history and it will take the longest time to resolve”, said Kart Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

Another company, Atmel Corporation, which is a supplier for Continental Automotive recognized that the problem in the airbags was due to corrosion of semiconductors in the safety device, which led to the airbag ejecting debris on to the passengers.

Honda explains that this recall has been made based on a Defect Information Report from airbag supplier, Takata.

Honda has already recalled 364,787 Accord sedans from the 2008-2010 model years, and Fiat Chrysler announced Thursday it’s recalling 112,001 Dodge Journeys from 2009 and Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans from 2008 and 2009. Repairs in other parts of the US will follow.

After speaking with the manufacturers listed above this morning, motoring.com.au understands that local manufacturers are today working to understand which models are affected before advising details publically. Takata agreed to appoint an independent monitor to oversee its recalls and operate under the terms of a five-year consent decree.

Honda said the driver-side airbag inflators in these vehicles may experience “over-pressurization” due to exposure to high temperatures and high absolute humidity. “Yet NHTSA has resisted our repeated calls to expand its recall”.