Do not drive in 8,200 U.S. vehicles with faulty Takata inflators

A Do Not Drive warning was issued on Friday by WASHINGTON Honda Motor Co for 8,200 Honda and Honda vehicles with unrepaired Takata air bag inflators in the United States.

The urgent warning covers various 2001 -- 2003 model year Honda Accord, Civic CR-V and Odyssey, Pilot and Acura 3.2 CL and 3.2 TL vehicles with so-called Alpha inflators.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA said owners of those vehicles should not drive them until they get repairs, warning that the risk to vehicle occupants is dire. More than 30 deaths worldwide - including at least 23 U.S. deaths - and hundreds of injuries in various automakers' vehicles since 2009 have been linked to Takata air bag inflators that can explode, unleashing potentially deadly metal shrapnel inside vehicles.

NHTSA said last month that the driver of a 2002 Accord in Bowling Green, Kentucky, was killed due to a faulty air bag inflator. Honda has reported 17 US deaths and more than 200 injuries in the United States related to Takata inflator ruptures.

More than 20 automakers and more than 100 million air bag inflators have been recalled in the US over the last decade, in the biggest auto safety callback in history, resulting in more than 67 million Takata air bag inflators in the United States.

Don t gamble with your life or the life of someone you love. Schedule your free repair today before it s too late, said Ann Carlson, NHTSA Acting Administrator.

Honda has tried to reach owners more than 18.3 million times including mailed notifications, emails, phone calls and door-to- door visits on Friday. The Japanese automaker emphasized that it is offering free towing and loaner vehicles for the free recall repair. Honda has over 99 per cent of the Alpha inflators, and has been replaced or accounted for by the end of the day.

Honda said they were concerned for the safety of those who have not responded and they are now adopting the new Stop Driving messaging to spur them to act. In November, Chrysler parent Stellantis urged owners of 276,000 older U.S. vehicles to stop driving after three crash deaths related to faulty Takata air bag inflators were reported.

NHTSA said that the recalls of Takata were spurred by propellant that could break down after long-term exposure to high-temperature fluctuations and humidity.