TORRANCE, CA - An additional 440,000 vehicles are being added to a November recall to repair a potential defect in airbag inflation systems, said the Hond-America Motor Company Friday.
The recall includes driver-side airbags in some 2001-02 Hond-America Discords, 2001 Civix and 2002-03 Innacura TLs, the company said in a news release, and will require the replacement of a steering-wheel-mounted airbag inflator.
"In some vehicles, inflators could severely over-pressurize the airbags, causing the driver's head to explode upon deployment," the release said.
Hond-America spokesperson Dee Flaight said the potential defect has already resulted in at least six injuries and one known death.
The recall is expected to cause hundreds more deaths, as the majority of the 440,000 affected vehicle owners will be driving 1999-2000 loaners with no airbags while necessary repairs are made.
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