News Summary: US probes Honda minivan air bags
News Summary: US probes older Honda Odyssey minivans; air bags can inflate without crash
MINIVAN PROBE: U.S. safety regulators have added about 320,000 older model Honda Odyssey minivans to a widening probe of faulty air bags that affects at least three automakers and more than 2 million vehicles.
NO CRASH NEEDED: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says front air bags on the Honda Motor Co. minivans from the 2003 and 2004 model years can inflate without a crash, possibly injuring drivers and passengers. The agency has gotten six complaints for bags inflating without crashes and 421 complaints of air bag warning lights illuminating.
NEXT STEP: The agency will determine if the problem is widespread enough to recall the minivans. The vans have the same air bag control computers that already have caused Toyota Motor Corp. and Chrysler Group LLC to recall more than 1.8 million vehicles worldwide.
