US recalls 2M cars again over airbag defect

WASHINGTON DC, USA – US transport authorities have recalled more than two million Toyota, Chrysler and Honda vehicles for a second time over faulty airbags that may inadvertently inflate while the car is running.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Saturday, January 31, the recall was issued following the unexpected deployment of airbags in about 40 cars that had already been fixed under a previous recall.

All 2.12 million vehicles involved in the latest warning were already under recall for an airbag default. 

“This is unfortunately a complicated issue for consumers, who may have to return to their dealer more than once,” said NHTSA administrator Mark Rosekind.

“This is an urgent safety issue, and all consumers with vehicles covered by the previous recalls should have that remedy installed,” he added. 

About one million Toyota and Honda vehicles in the latest warning are also subject to related recalls involving Takata airbags, which may unexpectedly inflate and cause serious injury or death. 

The new recall involves Acura MDX, Dodge Viper, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty, Honda Odyssey, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix and Toyota Avalon models made in the early 2000s.

About 20 million vehicles produced by some of the world’s biggest automakers have been recalled due to the risk their Takata-made airbags could deploy with excessive explosive power, spraying potentially-fatal shrapnel into the vehicle.

The exploding Takata airbags are linked to at least 5 deaths and hundreds of injuries. – Rappler.com