Just last week, I reported on an additional 601,000 Toyota vehicles recalled due to more defective Takata airbag inflators. Today’s story covers the addition of another 465,000 vehicles as Honda joins Toyota in the recall. This brings the numbers in this latest recall up to 1,066,000 vehicles. This is part of a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration- (NHTSA) planned third wave of recalls.Before listing the recalled Honda vehicles (please click the link above for a list of recalled Toyota vehicles), here’s a brief explanation as to why the vehicles are being recalled.The defective airbag inflators contain ammonium nitrate, a chemical propellant; this chemical creates the explosion required to deploy the airbag during an accident. Under conditions of high temperatures and high humidity, the propellant destabilizes. When this occurs, the metal inflator explodes too rapidly and with too much force, sending dangerous – sometimes lethal – shrapnel into the passenger cabin. Note that an accident is not necessary for the deployment of the defective airbags; all it takes is the right mix of temperature and humidity.

Takata logo; image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Takata – and the suppliers assisting it – are using safer, more stable propellants.What follows is a list of the latest vehicles Honda has recalled:Acura RL (2009-2012 model years)Acura TSX (2009-2013)Acura TSX Wagon (2011-2013)Acura ZDX (2010-2013)Honda Accord (2009-2012)Honda Crosstour (2010-2013)Honda Civic (2009-2011)Honda CR-V (2009-2011)Honda Element (2009-2011)Honda FCX Clarity (2013)Honda Fit (2009-2013)Honda Fit EV (2013)Honda Insight (2010-2013)Honda Pilot (2009-2013)Honda Ridgeline (2009-2013)The company is adding roughly 960 Goldwing motorcycles, model years 2009 to 2016. This recall was to be part of a NHTSA-planned fourth wave of recalls; however, given the relatively small number of motorcycles involved and the fact that the parts are readily available, Honda included them in this third wave.The automaker plans to let affected owners know by late February. Free replacement passenger front airbags are available now, though. Vehicle owners affected by the recall simply need to contact their local Honda dealer to obtain the free repair.Honda advises that there are enough replacement parts to fix “all Honda and Acura models currently included in inflator recalls in the United States.”

Sources:

Toyota and Honda recall 1 million vehicles as part of expanded Takata air bag recall

Toyota, Honda recall another 1 million cars as part of expanded airbag recall