Honda Recalls 16 Car Models Having Takata Air Bags

Honda Motor is recalling 668,816 cars in Japan that contain air-bag inflaters made by Takata, the most recent in a string of recalls of rupture-prone air bags connected to deaths and injuries across the world.

The recall concerns 16 models of vehicles produced between 2009 and 2011. It consists of Honda’s best-selling Fit hatchback, the Civic and Accord sedans, and its Insight hybrid and hydrogen-fuel-cell-powered FCX Clarity.

Automakers have recalled millions of automobiles that contain air bags whose inflater lacks a drying representative. These air bags are connected to most of deaths and injuries from the ruptures.

The recalled air bags utilize ammonium nitrate as a propellant in the inflaters, a chemical that can destabilize after extended exposure to wetness and heat, which can cause them to explode, spraying shrapnel in guest cabins. The inflaters become riskier with age, officials have stated.

Takata is looking for a cash infusion from financiers to deal with the billions of dollars in liabilities the business expects to pay for concerns associated with the malfunctioning air bags.