Continental recalla 5 mln vehicles on potentially defective air bags

Fiat Chrysler said none of the affected vehicles used air-bag inflaters equipped with ammonium nitrate, a chemical propellant linked to problems in exploding air bags made by a separate company, Takata Corp. Continental is also recalling 5 million vehicles worldwide, covering vehicles from Fiat Chrysler, Honda and others, for an issue with its airbag control units.

Honda’s recall includes older model years dating back to 2005, as well as some newer 2015 and 2016 models. While Mercedes, Fiat Chrysler and Honda all responded promptly to the allegations and issued massive recalls from 2008 to 2009, the issue is far from over for all these automakers. In addition, owners of these vehicles can determine now if their vehicles will require fix by going to www.honda.ca/recalls or by calling (888) 9HONDA9.

Honda will install new inflators in the affected pickups for free, but the automaker says parts won’t be available until summer because of the number of vehicles involved.

Right now, 14 automakers have recalled around 25 million cars because of the defective Takata air bags. At least 11 people have been reported dead worldwide, and 139 injured from the problem, according to Forbes. According to its filing, Dodge Journey, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country, and Volkswagen Routan – which Chrysler manufactured – were the affected vehicles. Fourteen automakers have recalled about 28 million inflators in 24 million vehicles.

“This also means that the safety of the vehicle passengers and operators are in jeopardy and potentially face serious injury or death”, another complainant wrote.

US Senator Bill Nelson, the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, denounced what he called “the never-ending flow of piecemeal recall announcements for Takata air bags”, which he said “needs to end”.

Honda has launched a significant expansion to its Takata recalls, adding 2.23 million vehicles.

Affected models will get the inflators replaced.

While unrelated, the Continental and Takata recalls deepen air-bag woes for auto makers.

“The 5 million airbags would be much more manageable if it was the only airbag recall going on”, said Brauer.

Reuters reports that Honda recalled another 269,000 similar models in Canada on Monday for the same issue.