Continental follows Takata with massive airbag recall

This most recent round of recalls brings the number of US recalls to 24 million and Honda accounts for more than a third (8.5 million) of that total.

The latest Continental recall developed over years, according to documents filed with USA regulators.

When a vehicle is recalled, it receives a new inflator, a metal casing containing the explosives that help inflate the air bag.

This is the latest large-scale USA recall related to air bag problems.

At least 11 people have been killed worldwide as a result of the problem, and 139 others have been injured.

Continental first became aware of the issue in 2008, when a faulty control unit from a Mercedes-Benz vehicle was analyzed. In 2011, Fiat-Chrysler reported an inadvertent deployment on a USA vehicle and Daimler reported a similar deployment. The company needs to better monitor potential safety defects, track data from incident reports and give quality-control personnel the ability to halt production, according to the panel, headed by former U.S. Transportation Secretary Samuel Skinner.

“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.

Honda said the most up-to-date consumer information about the recalls can be obtained at www.recalls.honda.com and www.recalls.acura.com, or by calling 888-234-2138. We will update this story as soon as we know more. It also wasn’t clear which recalls have already been announced by the manufacturers. Instead, this is an extension of the Continental recall affecting 112,001 Chrysler, Dodge, and Volkswagen vehicles we wrote about earlier today.

The fatality marked the ninth death attributed to the air bag inflators in the U.S. One death was also reported overseas. But parts won’t be available until this summer, the company said.

Continental says any malfunction will cause the air bag control computer to shut down, and that will trigger a dashboard warning light.

Honda said repairs and replacement for faulty parts will not be available until fall.

A new restraint system will be installed for free, Honda said. Several different vehicle brands have been affected in the recall over the last 12 months.

You’ve all heard and read about Takata and its defective airbag inflators that caused injuries and even deaths. Honda, Fiat Chrysler, and Mercedes have issued recall orders. The Accord and Civic are Honda’s best-selling models in the United States, placed at fifth and sixth, respectively, in sales in 2015. A list of specific vehicle identification numbers (VIN) included in the recall has yet to be determined, and a VIN search at Honda or Acura websites or the NTHSA recall site is not yet possible.

Japanese carmaker Honda is recalling 2.23 million cars equipped with potentially defective airbags that could rupture, deepening the deadly scandal surrounding parts supplier Takata.

Edmunds says: Lawmakers want to stem the seemingly endless flow of Takata recall announcements with sweeping action.

On Tuesday, Democratic U.S. Sens.