Another auto parts maker has kicked off a massive recall thanks to potentially defective airbags. This time, it’s Continental Automotive Systems, which has alerted federal regulators that some 5 million vehicles produced by a half-dozen car companies may contain airbags that could deploy inadvertently or fail to deploy in a crash.
In a notice [PDF] filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Continental reveals that certain airbags manufactured between Jan. 2006 and Dec. 2010 may have power supply components that can corrode when moisture gets inside. This could result in issues with airbags deploying when they shouldn’t, or not deploying when they should.
Honda and Fiat Chrysler have already announced recalls. According to another filing [PDF] from Continental, vehicles made by Kia, Mazda, and Volvo also include the possibly defective airbags, but no recalls have been announced as of when this story was published.
Fiat Chrysler (FCA) announced Thursday that 112,001 of its vehicles were affected by the recall, including model year 2009 Dodge Journey, 2008 to 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town and Country, and 2008 to 2009 Volkswagen Routan vehicles. The Routan was manufactured by Chrysler using the VW name.
The carmaker tells NHTSA in a filing [PDF] that it opened an investigation into possible inadvertent airbag deployments in July 2015 after receiving reports that two 2009 Dodge Journey vans experienced issues with the safety device.
FCA says it is aware of seven potentially related minor injuries, but no accidents connected to the issue. The manufacturer will notify owners of the affected vehicles of the recall when parts are available.
For Honda, the recall covers 341,444 model year 2008 to 2010 Accord sedans.
The carmaker tells [PDF] NHTSA that it has received 1,575 warranty claims, 83 field reports, and two confirmed injury reports related to the safety defect that first came to light in May 2015.
“Additionally, there have been 74 injury allegations related to airbag non-deployments,” Honda says, noting that the carmaker has not yet had the opportunity yo determine if those claims are related to the safety defect.
According to notices filed with NHTSA, the carmaker will install new computer systems in the airbags, however, parts will not be available until fall 2016.
MLive reports that the recall also affects about 126,260 model year 2008 to 2009 C-Series and model year 2010 GLK350 cars due to the issue. Daimler has not yet posted recall notices with NHTSA.
by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist
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