Honda to recall 437,763 vehicles over faulty air bags

Honda Motor Co said Wednesday it would recall 437,763 vehicles globally over a problem with the driver's airbag inflator, DPA reported.

Honda had recalled a total of about 514,000 vehicles for the same problem in 2008 and 2009. Japan's second-largest automaker also recalled about 646,000 vehicles worldwide last month to repair faulty power window switches.

The news dealt another blow to the Japanese car industry after Toyota Motor Corp announced the previous day massive recalls around the world.

The cars subject to Honda's latest recall are 378,758 units in the United States, 41,685 units in Canada, 4,042 units in Japan and 13,278 units in other countries.

Honda is to replace airbags on the driver's side of the cars because the safety feature can deploy with such force that it breaks, Honda said. The defect could injure or even kill the occupants of the vehicle.

Honda received 12 reports of the airbag problem in the United States. In at least one incident, a person was killed.

Honda shares declined 1.63 per cent to 3,010 yen at the close of trading Wednesday.