Million Vehicles Recalled for Faulty Continental Airbag Control Units

Of the total of five million vehicles affected, Continental says that between 1.5 and 2 million of them are in the U.S. Volvo Trucks along with Mazda vehicles will also be affected by this recall. Acura models include the 2013-2016 ILX, 2013-2014 ILX Hybrid, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 RL, 2009-2014 TL and 2010-2013 ZDX.

Continental is part of Continental AG of Germany, and it has informed the NHTSA that it provided airbag control units found to possibly be defective to several auto makers who ultimately placed them in about 5 million cars. Over 50 million vehicles have been recalled worldwide with about 24 million of them in the United States – the largest auto recall in USA history. 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.

Continental is now contacting all automakers affected by the airbag problems, then each automaker will begin ordering recalls.

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. The company uses the chemical ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion that instantly fills air bags in a crash. As a result, air bags can fail to deploy in a crash or inadvertently fire.

Honda says replacement parts won’t be available until late summer.

The Takata recall has typically focused on older vehicles, but today’s expansion includes many recent and current models.

The ongoing saga of defective Takata airbags continues.

Logo of German tyre company Continental is pictured at the headquarters in Hanover, April 25, 2014. The recall of Continental airbags comes on the heels of the massive Takata airbag recalls that have expanded to almost 34 million vehicles in the USA alone and has led to the company being fined with a $200-million civil penalty.

Continental Automotive Systems Inc.is recalling potentially faulty air-bag control units that were installed in up to 5 million vehicles worldwide.

In addition, Honda’s USA unit confirmed it had instructed US dealers to stop selling some of its new model Civics equipped with 2.0 liter base engines.