Catherine Hiles
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Honda Takata Recall Expands, Raises Questions

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A couple of weeks ago, reports hit the news that multiple automakers were recalling vehicles for faulty airbags made by Japanese company Takata. Of all the brands affected, Honda was by far the hardest hit. And now, the Honda Takata recall is expanding to include vehicles in seven states, including more of the brand’s most popular models.

Honda Takata recall

The 2005 Accord is included in the expanded Honda Takata recall

The additional vehicles named in the recall expansion include 2003 – 2005 Accords, 2001 – 2005 Civics, 2002 – 2005 CRVs, 2003 – 2004 Elements, 2002 – 2004 Odysseys, 2003 – 2005 Pilots, 2006 Ridgelines, 2003 – 2005 Acura MDXs, and 2005 Acura RLs. So, pretty much, if you have an older Honda vehicle, chances are your airbags could try to kill you.

The recall includes vehicles either originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa.

Although not confirmed by Honda itself, Bloomberg claims that four deaths and 139 injuries have been reported in Honda vehicles due to Takata airbag faults. And The New York Times reports that Takata knew about the issue with the airbags 10 whole years ago, but covered up the results of secret tests. Now, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is asking Honda for documents to prove whether or not the automaker knew about the faulty airbags ahead of the recent recall.

Honda Takata recall

Also affected: the 2004 Honda Pilot

The issue in question is that the airbags have inflators with the potential to injure (or kill) passengers by shooting plastic and metal shrapnel into the passenger compartment during an accident. In other words, the exact opposite of what you would expect an airbag to do when deployed.

Other automakers affected by the recall include BMW, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, and Toyota. For a complete list of vehicles included in the Takata airbag recall, check here.