NEWS:   Honda adds 833,000 vehicles to airbag recall

YAHOO NEWS -- May 4, 2011 – Honda Motor Co Ltd expanded an earlier recall of Honda and Acura vehicles over airbags that could deploy with too much pressure, causing injuries or fatalities, the company said.

The expanded recall adds more than 833,000 vehicles for the model years 2001 through 2003.

Some of these vehicles contain replacement airbags that could contain the defect. Honda is looking for 2,430 replacement airbags that could contain the defect, but could not locate them all, leading to the large recall.

This is the fourth time Honda has widened its airbag recall. The first recall related to this issue was in 2008.

The number of vehicles affected now stands at 1.65 million, according to figures reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

These additional vehicles were not included in earlier safety recalls because the original airbag modules on the driver's side were not affected by the issue. But replacement airbags could contain the defect, Honda said.

Honda told safety regulators that just 0.29 percent of the affected vehicles are likely to contain the defect.

In certain vehicles, excess pressure could cause the airbag inflator to rupture. Metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material causing injury or even a fatality.

A "small number" of injuries and two fatalities are linked to the airbag recalls, Honda spokeswoman Christina Ra said. These were not recent and did not kick off this move, Ra said.

The recall includes some 2001 and 2002 Accord and Civic sedans, 2002 Odyssey minivans and 2002 and 2003 CR-V crossover vehicles. It also includes 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL and 2003 3.2 CL vehicles.

MORE RECALL INFO: 

• 2001-2002:  Honda Accord
• 2001-2002:  Honda Civic
• 2002:  Honda Odyssey
• 2002-2003:  Honda CR-V
• 2002-2003:  Acura TL

NEWS:   NHTSA opens investigations into Honda, Kia vehicles

DETROIT NEWS -- November 29,  2010 –  Washington— The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened investigations into electrical issues on the 2006 Honda CR-V and shifting issues with the 2007 Kia Optima.

The probes — both opened after just three complaints — are the latest examples of how federal safety regulators are opening more investigations into potential safety issues than in recent years and moving faster than in the past.

In the first, NHTSA is investigating 150,000 2006 Honda CR-V models after reports of melting or burning of the master power window switch and related electrical system wiring components. All three complaints alleged fires in the driver's door related to the driver's master power window switch.

Separately, NHTSA is also probing 41,000 2007 Kia Optima models over complaints that the automatic transmission shift cable may detach from the shifter assembly. If this occurs, the transmission gear shifter becomes inoperative.

NHTSA said it had received three complaints concerning automatic transmission shift cable detachment and inability to engage the gears (park, drive and reverse) in model year 2007 Kia Optima vehicles. "One of the complaints also reported is a rollaway incident after parking the vehicle," NHTSA said.

In 2007, Kia Motors issued a technical service bulletin concerning incorrectly installed automatic transmission shift cables in certain model year 2006 and 2007 Kia Optima vehicles. The bulletin said that over time these cables can detach from the shifter assemblies' dowel pins resulting in the inability to select or engage drive gears. NHTSA noted that difficulty engaging park may also occur.

Honda and Kia didn't immediately return calls seeking comment.

NHTSA came under harsh criticism from Congress earlier this year in the wake of Toyota Motor Corp.'s sudden acceleration issues and the disclosure that NHTSA had not done more to force Toyota to make fixes in response to complaints.

MORE RECALL INFO: 

• 2006 Honda CR-V
• 2007 Kia Optima

JANUARY 2011 - Honda is recalling certain model year 2010 Honda Accord and CR-V vehicles. There is a potential failure with the engine wiring harness connector which may cause intermittent spark firing or the engine to stall. An engine stall will increase the risk of a crash. Dealer will inspect and replace the ignition wiring harness connector free of charge. The safety recall began on January 24, 2011. 11V-004

FEBRUARY 2010 -- Honda is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Honda Accord and Civic, model year 2002 CR-V and Odyssey, model year 2002-2003 3.2TL and one vehicle for model year 2003 Honda Pilot, Civic and Acura 3.2CL passenger vehicles. The driver's airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure. If an affected airbag deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. Metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material possibly causing injury or fatality to vehicle occupants. Dealers will replace the airbag inflator free of charge. The safety recall began on February 26, 2010. Owners may contact . 10V-041