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Following in the unfortunate footsteps of fellow car-maker Toyota, Honda has announced a second round of recalls today. After a recall of the Honda Fit for problems with the master power-window switch, Honda has now expanded its recall for airbag malfunctions on some 438,000 vehicles, according to a report by the Christian Science Monitor.

In its press release, the auto maker says it initially announced the recall of certain 2001 and 2002 model-year vehicles to replace the driver's airbag inflator. The expanded recall now includes an additional 378,758 vehicles in the U.S including: some 2001 and 2002 Accord, Civic, Odyssey, and CR-V models and the 2002 Acura TL models. One Honda Pilot and one Acura CL vehicle, produced in late 2002, are also included.

The cars are being recalled for problems with the vehicles' driver's side airbag inflator which can deploy with too much pressure, causing the inflator casing to rupture. According to the Monitor, the resulting metal shards can pass through the airbag cushion and have caused 12 incidents, including one fatality.

According to Honda, of the two processes used to create the airbags, only one could verify the correct amount of pressure within the airbag."We have decided to recall all inflator assemblies that were not confirmed by 100-percent automatic inspection during production because we cannot be absolutely certain they will all perform as designed, even though recent testing of units from this production process performed correctly," the company states in its press release.

Honda confirms that the company will contact affected car owners by mail. However, to determine whether their car is included in the recall, Honda owners can click here, or call (800) 999-1009. Acura owners can clich here, or call (800) 382-2238.

The company encourages all owners of recalled vehicles to take their car to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification from Honda that it is affected. Notification to customers will start this month.

Related Resorces:

• Honda recall airbags: Recall expands to another 438,000 vehicles (Christian Science Monitor)
• Statement by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Regarding Expansion of Driver's Airbag Inflator Recall (Honda)
• Car Safety Recalls (FindLaw)
• Toyota Drivers Advised to Stop Driving Toyota Cars Subject to Recall (FindLaw's Common Law)

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