Dangerous airbags and potentially perilous metal and plastic pieces are what Honda Motor. Co. is citing for their global recall of 304,000 vehicles last Friday.
So far, 20 accidents have been traced back to this problem, including two deaths in the U.S. in 2009. The recall affects the Accord, Civic, Odyssey, Pilot, CR-V and other models, manufactured in 2001 and 2002, said the AP.
According to Tokyo-based Honda, 273,000 vehicles have been affected by the recall in the U.S. The recall spawned from a similar one in 2008. Currently, the recall has covered about 2 million vehicles worldwide.
Hajime Kaneko, Honda spokesman, said the use of incorrect material in the chemical used to deploy air bags fueled the latest recall. Initially, excessive moisture in the inflator propellant which inflates the airbag was cited for issuing the recall.
The issue affected more vehicles than initially estimated, said Kaneko. The recall then expanded to account for a defective stamping machine during production.
Katie Wiggins, driver of a 1997 Honda Accord and junior history major said, “I mean, it’s not going to stop me from buying Hondas or driving them,” noting that her mother just purchased a red 2011 Honda Insight. “These things happen. No one company has a monopoly on having flaws in their models,” said Wiggins.
Extremely sorry for the recalls, reads the AP, Honda believes the situation has been alleviated. No more recalls linked to this problem are expected, said Kaneko.
“This is part of the risk we take as car drivers and car buyers,” said Wiggins. “Honda is doing their part to make sure that their drivers are safe and informed so that the recall is effective.”
The company said it will replace the defective inflator with a new one in the recalled cars.
Junior communications major Max Sposito, driver of a gold 2002 Honda Accord, said “I am a little alarmed by hearing this information and concerned if my car may be dangerous for me to drive in.”
“I’m definitely going to get my car checked out,” said Sposito. “But I’ve never had any issues with my car so far, so hopefully everything is all rig