Nissan has joined several automakers who have recently issued auto defect recalls in connection with faulty airbags that were made with initiators containing an incorrect mixture of propellants. According to Consumer Reports the 2012 Nissan Altima and Nissan Versa sedans that have been recalled could have issues with their side curtain airbags that may not inflate during a collision. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified similar issues with other vehicle models.

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Honda is issuing an auto defect recall for about 347 Accord sedans and Crosstour hatchbacks due to problems with the airbags in these vehicles. According to a news report in the Chicago Tribune, in certain vehicles, the side curtain airbags for the driver and front passenger may have a faulty inflator. In the event of a car accident, the affected airbags will not deploy. This could increase the risk of injury or death for vehicle occupants. The recall is expected to begin on February 10, 2012. Honda will notify owners when the recall begins and dealers will replace the affected airbags at no charge to consumers. For more information, please call Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

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Kia is issuing an auto defect recall involving 150,000 vehicles due to airbag problems. According to a news report in the Los Angeles Times, the South Korean automaker is recalling 2006-2008 Optima sedans and Rondo crossover utility vehicles because of a defect that could prevent the driver’s side airbag from deploying in the event of a crash. The company no longer sells the Rondo models.

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Honda Motor Company led all automakers with 3.9 million vehicles recalled in 2011 – a majority of those involving defective airbags. According to a report in the Detroit News, in all, Honda recalled 2.53 million vehicles in the United States and 2.7 million worldwide over defective airbags. Honda initially disputed the National Highway Safety Administration’s tally, but later agreed that it had the highest number of recalled vehicles. Automakers in the United States recalled a total of 15.5 million vehicles in 2011 due to various auto defects. That number is down from the 20.1 million in 2010. The total number of recall campaigns in the United States also dropped from 648 in 2010 to 593 in 2011.

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Honda has notified its dealers not to sell some used models until they carry out an auto defect recall to fix airbag defects that have been linked to at least two deaths and 18 injuries. According to a report in The New York Times, the Japanese automakers issued the statement following several recalls over the last three years for the problem. The issue with the driver’s side airbags is that they can deploy so forcefully that it sends metal fragments flying in the air. Federal law requires that automakers stop dealers from selling new cars until the recall is carried out. There is no such requirement for used cars. Honda has so far issued five recalls for this defect encompassing about 2 million vehicles since 2008.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an auto defect recall for 21,600 Honda Goldwing motorcycles due to defective aftermarket floorboards that can crack and break off, increasing the risk of crashes and injuries. According to Consumer Reports, the aftermarket floorboards manufactured by Kuryakyn may separate from the motorcycles possibly injuring riders or causing collisions. NHTSA says the defects affect Kuryakyn floorboards, part number 607005, which were sold and installed on 2001-2011 Honda Goldwing motorcycles. When the recall begins in January, Kuryakyn is expected to begin notifying consumers and provide replacement mounting kits at no cost.

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