Malaysian woman dies after airbag ruptures in accident

Sunday’s death is the second caused by the rupturing airbags in Malaysia.

The incident on Sunday came days after Honda Malaysia announced an additional recall of more than 145,000 vehicles to replace defective front passenger airbag inflators. Three mailed recall notices related to those recalls were sent to the owner, and the company says that its records indicate that the recall fix was never completed.

A Honda spokesman said the carmaker had launched an “internal investigation” but declined to elaborate. Out of respect for the family, Honda will not provide any personal information.

This latest tragedy brings to four the number of fatalities reported locally in recent years in what has been described as a rupture of single stage driver’s airbag inflators (SSDI).

A projectile is believed to have pierced the 44-year-old woman in the chest in the 12.30pm accident.

Sungai Buloh Fire and Rescue Department Senior Officer II Rosdi Hainan said that the driver’s airbag was found ruptured and that she could have sustained injuries to her chest from material protruding from the centre of the steering wheel.

Honda Malaysia continues to urge owners of Honda vehicles affected by the Takata airbag inflator product recall to get their vehicles repaired at authorized dealers as soon as possible.

However, the repairs were yet to be done when the auto rear-ended a Mercedes Benz at Kota Damasara yesterday.

Her niece, 22, was seated in the front passenger seat while her sons, aged nine and 12, were in the back.

A Honda Malaysia spokesman told Reuters last week that local authorities were still investigating the cause of the two deaths.

They can check if their vehicle is part of the recall by calling 1-800-88-2020 or visiting www.honda.com.my, it said. The recall included the City, Accord and Civic models, among others.