Takata’s faulty airbag inflators have proven to be a major headache for some of the biggest car manufacturers on the planet. They have had to recall millions of units to make sure that those faulty inflators don’t end up costing someone their life. It has been a very costly process and it’s far from over because the Honda recall has now been expanded to 2.2 million additional Honda and Acura cars because of Takata.
The faulty airbag inflators made by Takata can explode and possibly hurl shrapnel in the passenger compartment when there’s an accident and the airbags are deployed. That obviously increases the risk of serious injury or even death significantly. 11 deaths and 139 injuries linked to Takata’s faulty inflators have been reported so far worldwide.
Honda’s latest recall includes older models dating back to 2005 but some newer 2015 and 2016 models are affected as well of cars like the Honda Fit, CR-V, FCX Clarity, Insight, CR-Z and Acura RL, RDX, RLs among many others.
The company will contact owners of all vehicles included in this latest recall via mail and replace the airbag inflators for free with one that’s sourced from a manufacturer that’s not Takata.
It says that parts won’t be available until the summer. Replacement inflators will first to sent to areas with high humidity along the U.S. Gulf Coast before being sent to other parts of the country.
Honda has instructed its dealers to provide loaner cars to customers who ask for one while they wait for replacement inflators to arrive.