Honda Announces another Recall for Faulty Air Bags

Japanese automaker Honda Thursday announced the addition of 4.5 million vehicles to the growing list of cars and trucks recalled for Takata air bags that could explode with too much force and spew shrapnel at drivers and passengers, according to Associated Press.

The recall spans 17 models, including the Fit subcompact, Stream minivan and CR-V sport utility vehicle.

The recall is for the problem announced previously with air bag inflators on the driver’s side that can kick in with too much force. But the manufacturing period was extended to 2007 through 2011, from the previous 2004 through 2006.

Honda has been the automaker hardest hit by the recalls.

The cause of the latest recall was unknown. Honda has also recalled vehicles for Takata Corp. air bag inflators that can explode because of a defect that crept in during the production process.

“We apologize deeply for the great problems we have caused our customers,” Honda said in a statement that called the recall a precautionary measure. “We will continue to investigate the cause of the air bag problem.”