UPDATE: Honda to expand air bag recall nationwide

Under pressure from federal regulators, Honda is expanding a recall of driver’s side air bags to all 50 states.

The air bags, made by Japanese supplier Takata Corp., can explode with too much force, sending metal shrapnel into the passenger compartment.

Takata insists that current recalls covering 8 million U.S. cars in high-humidity areas are sufficient. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants the recalls expanded nationwide after some incidents outside the high-humidity zones.

Rick Schosteck, Honda’s executive vice president for North America, told House lawmakers Wednesday that Honda will expand the regional recall it began in June, but will continue to prioritize high-humidity areas.

He also said Honda is working with other air bag manufacturers to make sure it has enough parts.

Dale Kurtz with Courtesy Automotive in Colorado Springs said drivers can look at ntsb.gov to check if the car they are interested in purchasing has any parts recalled.

After that, Kurtz said drivers can call the nearest dealer or manufacturer to see if there are any outstanding recalls on a vehicle they are interested by providing the VIN number.

He said he would buy a car even if parts had been recalled.

“It’s OK to purchase a car that has some outstanding recalls. The manufacturer is required by law to take car of the recalls,” said Kurtz.

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