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Updated Wednesday, February 10, 2010 3:23 pm TWN, By SHINO YUASA, AP



	Passersby are reflected on the front part of Honda Motor Co.'s vehicle on display at the automaker's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010. Honda Motor Co. says it is adding 17,000 more cars in Japan and elsewhere to an existing global recall for faulty airbags, bringing the latest round of recalls to 437,000. (AP) Enlarge Photo

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Honda adds 437,000 cars to global air bag recall

The problem, the company found, could be traced to a stamping machine that sometimes used insufficient pressure to make the inflators. Honda company decided to recall all vehicles using the compressed inflator propellant produced by that machine, it said in a release.

"It took time to come to that conclusion because we had to do many tests," said Natsuno Asanuma, a manager of public relations at Honda in Tokyo. "We have concluded this is the cause."

One analyst suggested Toyota's woes may have lowered the bar for recalls, prompting automakers to announce full-fledged recalls for problems that would normally be handled during regular car inspections or service campaigns calling in cars at the owner's convenience.

"With Toyota's big problems, Honda probably realized it couldn't avoid a recall in these other models," said Toshirou Yoshinaga, an analyst at Aizawa Securities in Tokyo.

But Honda's Asanuma denied Toyota's problems had any impact on Honda's actions, while acknowledging increased consumer sensitivity to safety issues.

"We are following the normal procedure, so it doesn't mean customers' feelings changed our attitude," she said. "There are strict regulations regarding recalls."

Honda's latest U.S. recall airbag affects certain 2001 and 2002 Accord sedans, Civic compacts, Odyssey minivans, CR-V small sport utility vehicles and some 2002 Acura TL sedans.

In Japan, the recall covers three models produced in 2001 and 2002, including the Inspire, Saber, Lagreat.

The automaker's original announcement to NHTSA in November 2008 involved fewer than 4,000 2001 Accords and Civics. The recall was expanded in July of 2009 to 440,000 vehicles including the 2001 and 2002 Accord and Civic, as well as certain 2002 Acura TL sedans.

Honda says owners should take their vehicles to dealerships as soon as they are notified by the company in writing. Notification will begin during the month of February.

Last month Honda recalled 646,000 Fit hatchbacks worldwide because of a glitch that could cause water to enter the power window mechanism, causing components to overheat.

The Fit recall affects 2007-2008 models. The Fit is sold in other countries as the Jazz and City. The recall affects Asia, Latin America, Europe, South Africa and North America. About 140,000 vehicles are affected in the U.S.

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