Japanese auto giant recalls additional 5 million cars over airbag problems

Japanese auto giant, Honda Motors Corporation, has recalled another 4.89 million cars that were equipped with possibly faulty airbags manufactured by Japan-based Takata.

The recall covers over 14 models that were produced between produced between 2002 and 2008, said a Honda spokesperson.  Over 3 million of these cars are currently located outside Japan.

Honda’s recall comes only a day after similar recalls by its Japanese counterparts Toyota and Nissan recalled about 6.65 million of their own cars.

Millions of cars equipped with Takata airbags have been recalled by automakers in recent times over fears that the airbags may explode and send shrapnel or debris flying into the faces of drivers and passengers. . Honda alone has now issued over 10 separate recalls over the issue.

Engineers at Takata, which is one of the world’s leading airbag manufacturers, first noticed the problems over a decade ago in the chemical mix used to make its airbags. At least five deaths have been linked to the malfunctioning airbags since.

Takata’s shares declined by 5.4% after trading on today.

Toyota said its decision to recall more vehicles was made after investogators found moisture problems that could make airbags "susceptible to abnormal deployment in a crash."

"Among the parts collected from the Japanese market, certain types of airbag inflators were found to have a potential for moisture intrusion over time," the company said.