Toyota and Honda recall 1 million vehicles as part of expanded Takata air bag recall
An additional 1 million Toyota and Honda vehicles in the U.S. are being recalled as part of a third wave of recalls planned by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to fix cars equipped with potentially faulty Takata air bags.
About 601,300 Toyota and Lexus vehicles and 465,000 Honda and Acura vehicles are part of the expanded recall. NHTSA said over the weekend that this latest phase involves a total of 3.3 million vehicles.
Takata uses the chemical ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion and fill air bags quickly in a crash. But the chemical can deteriorate when exposed to high humidity and temperatures and burn too fast, blowing apart a metal canister and hurling hot shrapnel into drivers and passengers.
At least 20 people have been killed worldwide and more than 180 injured.
The Toyota vehicles involved in this phase of the recall are:
- Scion xB (2009, 2010 and 2013 model years)
- Toyota Corolla (2009, 2010 and 2013)
- Toyota Corolla Matrix (2009, 2010 and 2013)
- Toyota Yaris (2009 and 2010)
- Toyota 4Runner (2010 and 2013)
- Toyota Sienna (2013)
- Lexus IS250/350 (2009, 2010 and 2013)
- Lexus IS250C/350C (2010 and 2013)
- Lexus IS-F (2009, 2010 and 2013)
- Lexus ES350 (2009 and 2010)
- Lexus GX460 (2010 and 2013)
Toyota said all known owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by mail by early March. Owners should take their vehicles to Toyota or Lexus dealers to replace either the front passenger airbag inflator or the front passenger airbag assembly free of charge.
The Honda vehicles involved in this phase of the recall are:
- Acura RL (2009-2012 model years)
- Acura TSX (2009-2013)
- Acura TSX Wagon (2011-2013)
- Acura ZDX (2010-2013)
- Honda Accord (2009-2012)
- Honda Crosstour (2010-2013)
- Honda Civic (2009-2011)
- Honda CR-V (2009-2011)
- Honda Element (2009-2011)
- Honda FCX Clarity (2013)
- Honda Fit (2009-2013)
- Honda Fit EV (2013)
- Honda Insight (2010-2013)
- Honda Pilot (2009-2013)
- Honda Ridgeline (2009-2013)
Honda is also recalling about 960 Honda Goldwing motorcycles from model years 2009 through 2016 to replace optional airbag inflator modules. Honda said the motorcycles were originally slated to be recalled next year during the fourth phase of the NHTSA recall, but the automaker chose to move up the date because of the small number of vehicles and the availability of replacement parts.
Honda will notify affected owners by late February, and drivers should take their vehicles to an authorized dealer for a free repair.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Twitter: @smasunaga
