Honda Complies with Federal Order for Nationwide Air Bag Recall

Honda has expanded a recall for faulty Takata air bags nationwide, affecting 2.6 million more vehicles.

The safety campaign includes the 2001-'07 four-cylinder Honda Accord; 2001 and 2002 V6 Accord; 2001-'05 Honda Civic; 2002-'06 Honda CR-V; 2003-'11 Honda Element; 2002-'04 Honda Odyssey; 2003-'07 Honda Pilot; 2006 Honda Ridgeline; 2003-'06 Acura MDX; 2002 and 2003 Acura TL; and the 2002 Acura CL, according to the Associated Press.

Honda's recall expansion for driver-side air bags brings the total to 5.4 million vehicles.

At the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's urging, carmakers have been expanding their recalls for vehicles equipped with faulty air bag inflators that can cause the air bag to explode and shower the vehicle's occupants in shrapnel. The malfunctioning air bag inflators have been related to at least five deaths, possibly six.

But despite government orders, Japanese supplier Takata and fellow automaker Chrysler have refused to expand air bag-related recalls nationwide, the AP reported. The faulty inflators seem to be problematic in areas with more moisture, leading the carmakers to conduct regional campaigns in states and territories with high humidity.

The NHTSA has told Chrysler that neglecting to expand the recall nationwide is putting consumers in danger. Ford, Mazda and BMW have yet to reach a decision on expanding their respective recalls.

In a separate order, the agency has told Japanese supplier Takata to extend recalls for its faulty air bags nationwide; however, the company has refused to comply.