Honda recalls 4.5 million cars with airbag defect

Honda motor company on Thursday said it would recall 4.5 million vehicles worldwide over defective Takata Corp airbags.

The recalls include 1.63 million cars in Japan alone.

“Thursday’s recalls covered 17 models, including Fit subcompact, Insight hybrid and CR-V sport utility vehicle,” the company said in a statement.

Japan’s third-largest car maker declined to provide a regional breakdown until regulators in affected countries are given notice.

Tens of millions of cars carrying Takata airbags have been recalled globally, and Honda has been hardest hit by the recalls.

The airbag defect has been linked to no fewer than eight deaths in the United States (US) and Malaysia.

Report says a malfunctioning inflator may have caused some airbags to rupture and spray metal fragments inside cars when they are deployed in accident situations.