Toyota and Honda recall 6 million vehicles over airbag dangers

Toyota and Honda are recalling more than 6 million vehicles worldwide because of two dangerous airbag problems.

The Toyota recall affects about 3.4 million vehicles globally and is being done because the airbags may not inflate in a crash. The cars have airbag control computers made by ZF-TRW that are vulnerable to electrical interference and may not signal the bags to inflate.

The problem could affect as many as 12.3 million vehicles in the United States made by six companies. It’s possible that as many as eight people were killed when airbags didn’t inflate. U.S. safety regulators are investigating.

Honda’s recall covers about 2.7 million vehicles in the United States and Canada with Takata airbag inflators. But they’re a different version than the ones blamed for 25 deaths worldwide. Still, it’s possible the airbags could blow apart a metal canister and hurl shrapnel at drivers and passengers.

Both recalls were announced Tuesday.

In a statement, Toyota said the computer may not have adequate protection against electrical noise that can happen in crashes, such as when the vehicle runs under a different vehicle. The problem can cause the airbags to open only partially or not at all. Devices that prepare seat belts for a collision also may not work.

In most cases, Toyota dealers will install a noise filter between the airbag control computer and a wiring harness. But in some vehicles, dealers will inspect the computer to determine if it needs the filter. Owners are to be notified by mid-March.

The recall covers certain 2011-2019 Corollas, the 2011-2013 Matrix, the 2012-2018 Avalon and the 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid in the United States.

Toyota wouldn’t say if it will offer loaner cars to people who fear their airbags might not protect them. A spokeswoman suggested that to discuss the issue, owners call its customer hotline at (800) 331-4331.

In March 2017, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating problems with ZF-TRW airbag computers. The investigation was expanded last April to 12.3 million vehicles made by Toyota, Honda, Kia, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Fiat Chrysler for the 2010 through 2019 model years.

Toyota joins Hyundai, Kia and Fiat Chrysler in issuing recalls for the problem. Four deaths that may have been caused by the problem were reported in Hyundai-Kia vehicles and three in Fiat Chrysler automobiles. The investigation was upgraded after investigators found two serious crashes involving 2018 and 2019 Toyota Corollas in which the airbags did not inflate. One person was killed. Toyota said it’s cooperating in the investigation, which is continuing.

NHTSA is evaluating how susceptible the airbag control units are to electrical signals as well as other factors that could stop airbags from inflating. In documents, the agency said it didn’t find any other cases of electrical interference in Hyundai, Kia or Fiat Chrysler vehicles that used the ZF-TRW system but were not recalled.

ZF-TRW said Tuesday that it continues to cooperate with the NHTSA investigation.

The Honda recall covers certain Honda and Acura vehicles from the 1996-2003 model years. Honda vehicles included are the 1998-2000 Accord coupe and sedan, the 1996-2000 Civic coupe and sedan, the 1997-2001 CR-V, the 1998-2001 Odyssey and the 1997-1998 EV Plus.

Acura vehicles covered are the 1997 and 1998 2.2CL, the 1997-1999 3.0CL, the 1998-1999 2.3CL, the 2001-2002 3.2CL, the 2001-2002 MDX, the 1998-2003 3.5RL and the 1999-2001 3.2TL.

The front driver’s inflators being recalled are part of a recall announced by Takata in November covering at least 1.4 million vehicles from five automakers. Honda said it’s recalling a larger number of vehicles to make sure it gets all of the bad inflators.

In this case, the inflators don’t contain ammonium nitrate, which is blamed for previous Takata problems that have killed 25 people and injured hundreds worldwide.

But three of the newly recalled inflators exploded and hurled shrapnel, two in Japan and one in Texas that injured a driver, Honda said in a statement. The company said that in all three cases, the inflators were exposed to excessive moisture. In Texas, the car had a salvage title with a date that coincided with a major flood, while the two cases in Japan were in salvage yards where cars’ windows are typically left open, the company said.

“Honda believes that the risk of improper airbag deployment in its vehicles remains very low at this time, but we cannot absolutely guarantee the performance of any recalled part,” the company said in a statement.

Owners will be notified in mid-March, but replacement parts won’t be available for a year, Honda said.

Asked about loaner cars, a Honda spokesman said customer concerns will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Customers can call Honda at (888) 234-2138 with questions.