This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8507450.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Honda issues global airbag recall | Honda issues global airbag recall |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Honda has added an additional 437,700 cars, mainly in North America, to its existing global safety recall over airbag inflation problems. | Honda has added an additional 437,700 cars, mainly in North America, to its existing global safety recall over airbag inflation problems. |
It broadens a recall announced in late 2008 for less than 4,000 Accord and Civic sedans, then expanded in mid-2009 to cover another 510,000 vehicles. | |
The latest announcement also covers Japan, Mexico, Taiwan and Australia. | |
The fresh blow to Japanese carmakers came as Toyota recalled nearly half a million hybrid cars over faulty brakes. | The fresh blow to Japanese carmakers came as Toyota recalled nearly half a million hybrid cars over faulty brakes. |
Toyota has already had to bring millions of other vehicles back to dealerships amid accelerator and floormat problems. | |
We cannot be completely certain the airbag inflator will perform as designed Honda statement Toyota in global recall of Prius Toyota fights back class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markmardell/2010/02/us_demands_answers_from_toyota.html">Mardell's America: Toyota's woes | |
Honda - Japan's second-biggest carmaker - said the defective airbags can overinflate and burst, spraying potentially deadly metal shards. | |
The carmaker said the inflators were at risk of rupturing, "resulting in metal fragments passing through the airbag cushion material and possibly causing injury or fatality to vehicle occupants". | |
The fault has already been linked to 11 injuries and one fatality. | |
Honda said in a statement: "We cannot be completely certain that the driver's airbag inflator in the vehicles being added to this recall at this time will perform as designed." | |
Its shares fell in Japan after the announcement. | |
The recall will apply to 2001 and 2002 model-year Accord, Civic, Odyssey, Pilot, CL, CR-V and 2002 Acura TL vehicles, the firm said. | |
The company says owners should take their vehicle to an authorised dealer as soon as they receive notification from Honda. | The company says owners should take their vehicle to an authorised dealer as soon as they receive notification from Honda. |
The carmaker's latest recall affects 378,000 cars in the US and 41,000 in Canada. | |
It extends to 4,000 vehicles in Japan and 13,000 from other countries, including Mexico (9,000), Taiwan (1,300) and Australia (700). | It extends to 4,000 vehicles in Japan and 13,000 from other countries, including Mexico (9,000), Taiwan (1,300) and Australia (700). |
HONDA RECALLS Nov 2008: Airbag propellant problem reported in US. Recall of 4,200 carsJune 2009: Similar airbag problem reported, recall widened to 508,000 cars mainly in USJuly 2009: Japan recalls 1,532 carsFeb 2010: 419,000 recalled in US and Canada; 17,000 in Japan and other countries | HONDA RECALLS Nov 2008: Airbag propellant problem reported in US. Recall of 4,200 carsJune 2009: Similar airbag problem reported, recall widened to 508,000 cars mainly in USJuly 2009: Japan recalls 1,532 carsFeb 2010: 419,000 recalled in US and Canada; 17,000 in Japan and other countries |
The Japanese-only models are Inspire, Saber and Lagreat. | The Japanese-only models are Inspire, Saber and Lagreat. |
Just last month, Honda had to recall 650,000 Fit hatchbacks worldwide to fix a switch defect that could cause a fire. | |
It said the fault could allow water to enter the power window mechanism, making components overheat. | |
The Fit is sold as the Jazz and City in other countries. That recall affects Asia, Latin America, Europe, South Africa and North America. | The Fit is sold as the Jazz and City in other countries. That recall affects Asia, Latin America, Europe, South Africa and North America. |
For Toyota, the problems continued as a US Congressional committee cast doubts on its plans to fix accelerator problems. | |
A memo to lawmakers cited "substantial evidence" of redesigned floormats failing to stop the pedals sticking. | |
On Tuesday, Toyota recalled 436,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide, including its latest Prius, to fix brake faults. | |
That comes on top of more than 8 million Toyotas recalled since last October for problems with slipping floormats and sticking accelerator pedals, linked to crashes that have killed at least 19 people. | |
Toyota's UK centres begin repairing the accelerator pedals on 180,000 vehicles on Wednesday. | |
They have the capacity to fix 6,000 cars a day, meaning it will be a month before the process is complete. | |
Do you own a Honda? Are you concerned about the issues raised in this story? | Do you own a Honda? Are you concerned about the issues raised in this story? |
Send your comments using the post form below. | Send your comments using the post form below. |
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |