Honda to Recall Around 1m Vehicles with Dangerous Air Bags

DETROIT (AP) — Honda is likely to recall around 1 million older vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because the Takata driver’s air bag inflators that were installed during previous recalls could be dangerous.

Documents posted Monday by Canadian safety regulators show that Honda is recalling many of its most popular models for a second time. The models are from as far back as 2001 and as recent as 2010.

Canadian documents say about 84,000 vehicles are involved. That number is usually over 10 times higher in the United States.

Affected models include the Honda Accord from 2001 through 2007, the CR-V from 2002 through 2006, the Civic from 2001 through 2005, the Element from 2003 through 2010, the Odyssey from 2002 through 2004, the Pilot from 2003 through 2008 and the Ridgeline from 2006. Also covered are Acura luxury models including the MDX from 2003 through 2006, the EL from 2001 through 2005, the TL from 2002 and 2003 and the CL from 2003.

Transport Canada, the country’s transportation safety agency, said vehicles covered include those that were under previous recalls and others that had air bags replaced after collisions.

Takata used the chemical ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate the air bags. But the chemical can deteriorate over time due to high humidity and cycles from hot temperatures to cold. It can burn too fast and blow apart a metal canister, hurling shrapnel into drivers and passengers.

At least 23 people have died from the problem worldwide and hundreds more were injured.

The recalls are part of the largest series of automotive recalls in U.S. history. As many as 70 million will be recalled.

Honda wouldn’t comment Monday, and a message was left for the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration seeking comment.

Owners will be told to take their vehicles to dealers to have the inflators replaced.

source: usa.inquirer.net

Honda recalls 784,000 vehicles in Japan over Takata air bags

TOKYO—Japanese automaker Honda is recalling 784,000 vehicles in Japan due to faulty Takata Corp. air bag inflators for front passenger seats.

The recall, announced by Honda Motor Co. on Thursday, is the latest of many such recalls over inflators that may explode with too much force.

This recall covers the Odyssey minivan, Accord sedan, Clarity fuel cell and other models.

The Tokyo-based manufacturer said the recall was in response to a recent decision by the Japanese government, which followed one last month by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in which Takata agreed to add up to 40 million air bag inflators to an already massive recall.

Takata has not been able to produce enough replacement parts to keep up with the recalls, which may balloon to more than 100 million globally.

The expanded recall mainly covers inflators in front passenger air bags that do not have a chemical drying agent known as a desiccant.

The inflators are responsible for at least 11 deaths worldwide and more than 100 injuries.

Authorities in Malaysia have begun an investigation into two more recent deaths in cars with Takata air bags that ruptured.

source: business.inquirer.net

Kia recalls over 256,000 Souls for steering problem

DETROIT — Kia is recalling more than 256,000 Soul compact SUVs in the U.S. because the steering could fail.

The recall covers certain Souls from the 2014 through 2016 model years.

Kia says in documents filed with the government that the adhesive that holds steering gear parts together may not be strong enough and the parts can separate. That can cause loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Kia found the problem after getting warranty reports from dealers. The company says no crashes or injuries have been reported.

Dealers will inspect and replace a steering gear plug if necessary. They also will install a bolt for additional reinforcement. The recall is expected to start Dec. 22.

source: business.inquirer.net

Toyota recalls 6.39 million vehicles worldwide

TOKYO—Toyota on Wednesday recalled 6.39 million vehicles worldwide for five different problems, dealing another blow to the world’s largest automaker whose reputation for quality and safety has been dented in recent years.

Despite record sales and bumper profits, Toyota has been fighting to protect its brand after millions of earlier recalls and in the wake of a $1.2 billion settlement last month to settle US criminal charges.

In October 2012, Toyota announced a global recall of 7.43 million vehicles, including its popular Camry and Corolla models, over a possible fire risk, while in February it recalled 1.9 million of its signature Prius hybrid cars.

On Wednesday, the firm’s Tokyo-listed shares took a hit, falling 3.07 percent to 5,450 yen ($53) by the close.

Toyota announced five separate recalls involving 26 Toyota models, as well as the Pontiac Vibe and the Subaru Trezia.

“Since a few models are involved in more than one recall, the total number of vehicles that will be remedied is 6.39 million,” Toyota said in an e-mail.

Among the problems are a driver’s seat defect, steering column problems, and an engine starter glitch that poses a fire risk, the company said.

The vehicles affected include the Corolla sedan, the RAV4 sport utility vehicle and Yaris subcompact.

Toyota said it had received two reports about fires owing to the starter defect, but added that none of the issues had caused any accidents to its knowledge.

The vehicles, made over the past decade, include 1.08 million in Japan, 2.3 million in North America, about 770,000 in Europe and 62,000 in China, Toyota said.

In March, the Japanese automaker agreed to pay $1.2 billion to settle US criminal charges that it lied to safety regulators and the public as it tried to cover up deadly accelerator defects.

Dozens of deaths were blamed on the problems, which caused vehicles to speed out of control and fail to respond to the brake.

Toyota eventually recalled 12 million vehicles worldwide in 2009 and 2010 at a cost of $2.4 billion as the scandal over sudden, unintended acceleration spread and tarnished its once-stellar reputation.

In reaching the settlement, Toyota admitted that it lied when it insisted in 2009 that it had addressed the “root cause” of the problem by fixing floor mats that could trap the accelerator.

As part of the cover-up, Toyota scrapped plans to fix the “sticky pedal” defect in the United States and instructed employees and its parts supplier not to put anything about the design changes in writing.

The latest recall came as Japan’s Jiji Press news agency said Wednesday that Toyota’s global sales in the fiscal year to March topped 10 million units for the first time.

The company, which declined to comment on the report, kept the title of world’s biggest automaker last year sales of 9.98 million vehicles, outpacing Germany’s Volkswagen and General Motors, and said it expects 2014 to become the first to break the 10 million vehicle sales barrier in a calendar year.

Toyota has tipped a record fiscal year profit after more than doubling its nine-month earnings to $15 billion thanks to the yen’s sharp decline and surging sedan sales.

A weak yen has been a major coup for Japan’s automakers as it boosts their competitiveness overseas and inflates repatriated profits.

source: business.inquirer.net

Ford recalls 370,000 cars

NEW YORK – Ford is recalling 370,000 cars due to potential corrosion to their steering shaft that may result in loss of steering.

No incidents or injuries have been reported.

The cars include 2005 to 2011 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Cars. About 355,000 are in the U.S. and 15,000 in Canada.

Dealers will inspect the cars and may replace the lower intermediate steering shaft and if necessary re-secure a lower steering column bearing and replace the upper intermediate steering shaft.

source: business.inquirer.net