The Takata airbag scandal, which has included millions of recalls, is expected to begin winding down this year. Takata airbags, which were installed onto millions of vehicles, use the chemical ammonium nitrate to cause the small explosion that makes the airbag deploy in an accident. In hot and humid climates, the chemical can degrade over time, causing the explosion to be much more powerful, sending deadly shrapnel flying throughout the vehicle. Worldwide, the airbags have been connected to hundreds of injuries and at least two dozen deaths. It has led to the largest recall in automotive history.
Consumer Affairs reports that Honda is recalling another 1.6 million vehicles equipped with the defective airbags. According to Honda, the 1.6 million recalls to replace defective airbag inflators should be the last that are associated with the airbags.
Honda is initiating the repairs well ahead of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s planned expansion date of late December of this year. The airbags are front airbags that were placed in both Honda and Acura vehicles.
The company states that it has adequate replacement parts for all vehicles and that owners of affected vehicles should bring their vehicles to dealerships for repairs as soon as possible. Nationwide, the total number of recalled vehicles has exceeded 50 million. It is expected that by the time recalls occur next year, that number will exceed 70 million. For Honda, the number of affected airbags has reached 22.6 million that were installed in 12.9 million Honda and Acura vehicles.
The company will begin mailing notification to owners in mid-August.
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