Honda to Launch Big Takata Airbag Recall in China

Honda Motor Co. is preparing to recall more than half a million of its Accord sedans in China to replace driver-side airbag inflators made by Takata Corp.

Exploded Takata airbag

The Accord campaign will cover 527,100 cars made between 2002 and 2007. The company also will call back 26,100 of its Elysion minivans made in 2012-2014 to make the same repair.

Both campaigns will begin at the end of February. Honda estimates it will eventually recall at least 13 million vehicles worldwide to replace their Takata inflators, which can explode when triggered.

Honda describes the China recalls as investigations, since it isn't sure which Takata inflators may be defective, or why. Honda and eight other carmakers have begun an independent analysis to clearly identify the cause of inflator failures that have killed five people and injured several others.