More than 2M vehicles recalled a 2nd time for faulty air bags

Associated Press

NEW YORK

More than 2 million Toyota, Chrysler and Honda vehicles are being recalled for a second fix for faulty air bags that may inadvertently inflate while the car is running.

The recall includes some Acura MDX, Dodge Viper, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda Odyssey, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Avalon models made from 2002 to 2004. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says all of the vehicles covered in Saturday’s announcement had already been under a recall for the faulty air bags, but the carmakers’ original attempts to fix the defects worked only about 85 percent of the time.

The new recall will fully replace the faulty electronic- control unit, which is made by TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. of Livonia, Mich. In the previous recall, the unit was only partially replaced. The new remedy will be available to all affected vehicles by the end of the year.

However, the NHTSA is urging consumers with cars under the first recall to have the partial unit installed, even if they have to return to the dealer under the second recall.

“Even though it’s a temporary solution until the new remedy is available,” NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said, consumers “and their families will be safer if they take the time to learn if their vehicle is covered and follow their manufacturers’ instructions.”

About 39 air bags have inadvertently deployed that had been remedied under the previous recall.

The agency says about 1 million Toyota and Honda vehicles involved in the new recalls also are subject to a separate recall related to defective air bags made by Takata Corp. of Japan. Those air bags can deploy and rupture with enough force to cause injury or death.