Honda announces another recall for faulty Takata air bags

TOKYO (AP) – The recalls at Honda Motor Co. over defective Takata air bags have grown by another 4.5 million vehicles, raising the tally at the Japanese automaker to 24.5 million.

Tokyo-based Honda said Thursday the latest recall affects 1.63 million vehicles in Japan, but none in North America.

It declined to give a regional breakdown until regulators in affected nations were notified.

The recall spans 17 models, including the Fit subcompact, Stream minivan and CR-V sport utility vehicle.

The recall is for the problem announced previously with air bag inflators on the driver’s side that can kick in with too much force. But the manufacturing period was extended to 2007 through 2011, from the previous 2004 through 2006.

Honda has been the automaker hardest hit by the recalls.

The cause of the latest recall was unknown. Honda has also recalled vehicles for Takata Corp. air bag inflators that can explode because of a defect that crept in during the production process.

“We apologize deeply for the great problems we have caused our customers,” Honda said in a statement that called the recall a precautionary measure. “We will continue to investigate the cause of the air bag problem.”

At least eight people have been killed and 100 injured by the air bags, which can explode with too much force and spew shrapnel into the vehicle. The problem has persisted for more than a decade and impacts 11 automakers, including Honda, BMW and Toyota.