Conti Recalls 5 Million Flawed Airbag Controllers

Continental AG is recalling 5 million airbag control modules in the U.S. that can either fail to trigger airbags when they should or deploy them when they shouldn’t.

The recall was prompted by corrosion-prone power supplies in controllers sold between 2006 and 2010 to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Honda, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Volvo Trucks. The campaign is unrelated to the industry’s Takata airbag inflator recalls.

Honda Motor Co. alone reports nearly 1,600 warranty claims and two injuries related to the Conti defect. Honda plans to replace the controllers 341,400 of its 2008-2010 model Accord sedans in the U.S. and another 23,300 in Canada. But the company cautions that replacement components won’t be available until autumn.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV will replace the potentially defective controllers in 112,000 of its 2008 and/or 2009 model Dodge Journey crossovers, Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans and Volkswagen Routan minivans.

Other carmakers are expected in the next several days to detail the models included in their recalls.

The affected power units were supplied by San Jose, Calif.-based Atmel Corp., according to the company’s Continental Automotive Systems unit. It says Atmel modified its production process in 2008 and 2009 to eliminate the problem.