Honda expands recall for risky air bags

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Japanese automaker Honda expanded its recall of cars sold in the United States with risky air bags to nearly 900,000 vehicles.

Honda added 603,000 vehicles to the recall of Hondas and Acuras from model years 2001 through 2003 Thursday, CNNMoney reported Friday.

Honda, with U.S. headquarters in Torrance, Calif., said it needs to replace the driver's airbag inflator, which could be deployed with too much pressure, possibly causing the inflator to rupture, which could result in injury or fatality, CNNMoney said.

Officials said the additional cars must be taken to an authorized dealer for inspection because they may contain faulty parts. The automaker said it has determined 640 suspicious airbag parts were sold to be installed in vehicles for repairs or other reasons.

"Because Honda is unable to determine the specific vehicles that may have received the affected service parts through existing information, Honda will inspect an additional 603,000 vehicles and replace those parts as necessary," the automaker stated.

The expanded recall applies to certain cars of the following: 2001 and 2002 Accord, 2001 to 2003 Civic, 2001 to 3003 Odyssey, 2002 and 2003 CR-V, 2003 Pilot, 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL and 2003 Acura 3.2 CL.