A number of automakers — including Japanese leaders Honda and Toyota —
are recalling around 3.4 million cars due to airbag defects.
are recalling around 3.4 million cars due to airbag defects.
Toyota (TM) said it was recalling 1.7 million cars
around the world, including some popular Corolla, Matrix and Tundra models.
Nissan recalled around 480,000 cars, while Mazda added another 45,000
worldwide.
around the world, including some popular Corolla, Matrix and Tundra models.
Nissan recalled around 480,000 cars, while Mazda added another 45,000
worldwide.
Honda (HMC), which is recalling more than 1.1
million autos, said the recall was necessary to replace passenger front airbag
inflators.
million autos, said the recall was necessary to replace passenger front airbag
inflators.
“It is possible that the passenger front
airbag inflators in affected vehicles may deploy with too much pressure, which
may cause the inflator casing to rupture and could result in injury,” the
company said in a statement.
airbag inflators in affected vehicles may deploy with too much pressure, which
may cause the inflator casing to rupture and could result in injury,” the
company said in a statement.
Most of the recalled cars appeared to be from the
2001, 2002 and 2003 model years.
2001, 2002 and 2003 model years.
Honda said it was aware of one crash in which a
passenger front airbag casing had ruptured after being deployed with too much
pressure. The automaker said it was not aware of any injuries or deaths that
may have resulted from the defect.
passenger front airbag casing had ruptured after being deployed with too much
pressure. The automaker said it was not aware of any injuries or deaths that
may have resulted from the defect.
Honda has had previous recalls, beginning in 2008,
for the same problem in driver’s side airbags.
for the same problem in driver’s side airbags.
Toyota said it had reports of five airbag
malfunctions, but no injuries.
malfunctions, but no injuries.
Toyota spokeswoman Shino Yamada said the airbags in
question were manufactured by Takata Corp., a Japan-based supplier.
question were manufactured by Takata Corp., a Japan-based supplier.
Takata shares declined sharply after the recall was
issued, at one point falling more than 15% before recovering to close down 9%.
issued, at one point falling more than 15% before recovering to close down 9%.
In the United States, the Honda vehicles involved
in the recall include 2001 to 2003 Civics and CR-Vs and 2002 Odyssey minivans.
Nissan is recalling 2001 to 2003 Maximas, Pathfinders, Sentras, Infiniti I35s
and Infiniti QX4s in the U.S., while Mazda is recalling 147 2003 and 2004
Mazda6 sedans and two 2004 Mazda RX-8s. Toyota is recalling some 2001 to 2003
Corollas, Matrixes, Tundra pickups and Lexus CS430s. Toyota is also recalling
the Camry, among other models, but in markets outside the U.S.
in the recall include 2001 to 2003 Civics and CR-Vs and 2002 Odyssey minivans.
Nissan is recalling 2001 to 2003 Maximas, Pathfinders, Sentras, Infiniti I35s
and Infiniti QX4s in the U.S., while Mazda is recalling 147 2003 and 2004
Mazda6 sedans and two 2004 Mazda RX-8s. Toyota is recalling some 2001 to 2003
Corollas, Matrixes, Tundra pickups and Lexus CS430s. Toyota is also recalling
the Camry, among other models, but in markets outside the U.S.
Manufacturers will identify the specific cars
involved and will notify owners.
involved and will notify owners.
General Motors (GM, Fortune 500) is planning to
recall an estimated 48,000 Pontiac Vibes. The Vibe was made in the same factory
as the Toyota Matrix, and the two vehicles are virtually identical.
recall an estimated 48,000 Pontiac Vibes. The Vibe was made in the same factory
as the Toyota Matrix, and the two vehicles are virtually identical.
BMW also used the same airbag inflators in some of
its cars, according to a document Takata sent to the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration. BMW did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
its cars, according to a document Takata sent to the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration. BMW did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The recall, while large, is not without precedent.
The United States alone has had 13 recalls of more than three million units,
according to a list maintained by the D.C.-based Center for Auto Safety.
The United States alone has had 13 recalls of more than three million units,
according to a list maintained by the D.C.-based Center for Auto Safety.
For Toyota, the recall is another blow to its
carefully cultivated reputation for quality.
carefully cultivated reputation for quality.
The company announced in October a recall of 7.43
million cars due to a power window problem that posed a fire risk.
million cars due to a power window problem that posed a fire risk.
Toyota’s largest recall came in 2009 and 2010, when
more than 8 million units were brought in for a potential problem involving
sticky accelerator pedals. In that case, dealers were told to suspend sales of
eight models, and production of those models stopped temporarily.
more than 8 million units were brought in for a potential problem involving
sticky accelerator pedals. In that case, dealers were told to suspend sales of
eight models, and production of those models stopped temporarily.
