Honda Motor Co. is recalling 1,532 of its Inspire and Saber passenger cars in Japan following a fatal accident in the United States involving a ruptured air bag. The airbags in the Inspire and Saber vehicles are similar to the type recalled in the U.S./Canada concerning 300000 2001 Honda Civic and Honda Accord vehicles. There are at least 7 accidents in the U.S. between Feb. 2007-May 2009 where metal fragments flew from ruptured driver-side air bags in Honda vehicles.
In May, a driver died in an accident where metal fragments flew from the driver-side air bags, it is unknown if the air bag was responsible for the death of the driver. It was apparent that the metal fragments from the ruptured air bag had pierced the driver's neck. Honda said it was investigating whether the driver died due to the air bag accident or some other causes.