Toyota and Honda recall six million vehicles due to airbag glitches

Toyota and Honda have recalled more than six million vehicles due to two airbag glitches that present different dangers to motorists.

Toyota is recalling around 3.4 million vehicles across North and South America because their airbags may not inflate in a collision, with the defect linked to a report of one fatal crash.

The recall includes 2.9 million US vehicles and covers certain 2011 to 2019 Corollas, 2011 to 2013 Matrix, 2012 to 2018 Avalon and 2013-2018 Avalon Hybrid models.

The cars have airbag control computers made by ZF-TRW that are vulnerable to electrical interference and may not signal the bags to inflate.

In most cases Toyota dealers will install a noise filter between the airbag control module and its wire harness if needed.

But in some vehicles dealers will inspect the computer to determine if it needs the filter.

Toyota said owners will be notified by mid-March.

The Japanese manufacturer declined to say how many deaths or injuries have been linked to the problem.

The defect could also impede the operation of seat-belt pretensioners, which help to pull drivers and passengers firmly into their seats prior to the full force of impact in a crash.

The ZF-TRW airbag problem could affect as many as 12.3 million vehicles in the US made by Toyota, Honda, Fiat Chrysler, Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has said it is possible that as many as eight people have been killed when their airbags didn't inflate.

The NHTSA began investigating problems with ZF-TRW air bag computers in March 2017.

The administration expanded its probe into the potentially defective airbags in April last year, including ones in the vehicles Toyota is recalling.

Four deaths that may have been caused by the problem were reported in Hyundai-Kia vehicles and three in Fiat Chrysler automobiles.

The investigation was upgraded after investigators found two serious crashes involving 2018 and 2019 Toyota Corollas in which the airbags did not inflate.

One person was killed.

Toyota said it's cooperating in the probe, which is continuing.

NHTSA is evaluating how susceptible the airbag control units are to electrical signals as well as other factors that could stop airbags from inflating.

Hyundai, Kia and Fiat Chrysler previously issued recalls for more than 2.5 million vehicles with the ZF-TRW air bag control units in question.

Japanese carmaker Honda is recalling about 2.7 million vehicles in the US and Canada with Takata air bag inflators.

But they're a different version than the ones blamed for 25 deaths worldwide.

Still, it's possible the air bags could blow apart a metal canister and hurl shrapnel at drivers and passengers.

The recall covers certain Honda from the 1996 to 2003 model years, and includes some that are part of its luxury Acura division.

Honda vehicles included are the 1998 to 2000 Accord Coupe and Sedan, the 1996 to 2000 Civic coupe and sedan, the 1997 to 2001 CR-V, the 1998 to 2001 Odyssey and the 1997 and 1998 EV Plus.

Acura vehicles covered are the 1997 and 1998 2.2CL, the 1997 to 1999 3.0CL, the 1998 and 1999 2.3CL, the 2001 and 2002 3.2CL, the 2001 and 2002 MDX, the 1998 to 2003 3.5RL, and the 1999 to 2001 3.2TL.

The front driver's inflators being recalled are part of a recall announced by Takata in November covering at least 1.4 million vehicles from five automakers.

Honda said it's recalling a larger number of vehicles to make sure it gets all of the bad inflators.

The Japanese manufacturer said in a statement: "Honda believes that the risk of improper air bag deployment in its vehicles remains very low at this time, but we cannot absolutely guarantee the performance of any recalled part."

Honda said owners will be notified in mid-March, but replacement parts won't be available for another year.

Both Toyota and Honda announced their recalls on Tuesday.

No European models are affected by either announcement.