Honda Expands Airbag Recall After Malaysia Crash

2013 Fit

Honda Motor Co. is adding 170,000 vehicles, including Fit minicar and Civic small sedan to more than 6 million it has recalled over the past four years to replace Takata Corp. airbag inflators that could explode.

None of the vehicles in the expanded recall was sold in North America.

The latest recall extension comes after a suspicious report of a fatal crash in Malaysia. Honda says a Takata airbag inflator exploded, spraying metal fragments into the car. Honda says it is not yet clear if the explosion or another cause killed the driver.

Honda recalled 5 million of its vehicles in the U.S. in July and last week expanded the campaign in that market. Recalls by Honda and nine other carmakers have focused on regions with climates noted for high temperatures and humidity. Takata says those conditions may cause its inflator propellant to deteriorate, then expand with too much force when triggered.

The faulty inflators, which can spew metal shrapnel into the passenger compartment, have been blamed for four deaths and numerous injuries in the U.S.