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Takata airbags linked to seventh death

A seventh fatality may be linked to Takata's faulty airbag inflators, based on a recently filed lawsuit in Louisiana. The case alleges that a 22-year-old woman there died in April following injuries from an accident while driving in a 2005 Honda Civic. She reportedly received the mailing about the airbag safety campaign two days after the crash, according to Bloomberg. The accident occurred on April 5 when the vehicle hit a utility pole. The driver's airbag deployed but allegedly sprayed metal shrapnel at the woman. "When she was in the hospital, they did exploratory surgery and found no other injuries," said Kenneth D. St. Pe, the lawyer for the driver's mother who filed the lawsuit, according to Bloomberg. "Her sole injury was that her throat was cut open." In a portion of a statement from Honda to Autoblog, the automaker says: "Honda is now in communication with representatives of the family in an effort to gather further information in order to better understand the situation." The Takata airbag inflator recall was expanded in May to cover 34 million vehicles in this country from 11 automakers. Up until now, the faulty parts have been potentially linked to six deaths, including five in the US and one in Malaysia, plus many injuries. Honda and Takata are facing at least two dozen lawsuits in Florida for claims related to the bad components. So far, the evidence suggests that exposure to moisture causes the propellant to ignite too quickly and cause these ruptures. However, many people aren't getting the problem fixed. Honda Statement: Honda was recently notified of the crash of a 2005 Honda Civic in Louisiana on April 5, 2015 that later resulted in the death of the driver. The crash may have resulted in the rupture of the Takata driver front airbag inflator. Honda is now in communication with representatives of the family in an effort to gather further information in order to better understand the situation. Related Video:

What car should James Robertson buy to drive his famous 21-mile commute?

The Internet has been abuzz this week with the story of Detroit resident James Robertson, the 56-year-old factory worker who has walked some 21 miles to work for the last 10 years. The Detroit Free Press brought Robertson's story to the fore, helping an online fundraising campaign to generate more than $275,000 (as of this writing). The original goal was just $5,000, or about enough to replace the used Honda that died on Robertson back in 2005, and left him walking. So, newly flush with funds, what's the perfect car for Robertson to buy? Let's look at the specifics of his situation, and try to pick out the best options. Here's what we know: Robertson's commute is (famously) 21 miles; he lives in downtown Detroit (for now) and seems pretty humble, so something very flashy is probably out; former Honda aside, his ties to the city (and statements about being a Ford fan) seem to indicate a Detroit Three company product is best; he's a single guy with a girlfriend; he's got to deal with Michigan weather, and the sometimes fickle snow removal processes in The D. Here are some choices: Ford F-150 Robertson is on record as being a Taurus fan, and after a decade of walking I've no doubt that the big sedan would offer a cozy respite. Still, as a car guy and a student of the industry, I'd have a hard time recommending a sedan so clearly in need of replacement. Especially when The Blue Oval has such great stuff within the rest of its roster. The 2015 F-150 seems almost perfect for Robertson. Opting for either of the new EcoBoost V6 engines should help keep fuel bills in reasonable check, while healthy ride height and four-wheel drive will get him to work on time even during the snowiest of snow days. Better still, with a fat options sheet and car-like ride quality, Robertson can have just about every amenity he might want, in a package that won't disrespect his blue-collar roots. Chevrolet Colorado You guys saw this one coming, right? The smaller footprint of the midsize Chevy pickup, relative to some of the other options here, should be an advantage for urban parking and driving. And again, 4x4 is an option for the nasty weather, the running costs should stay pretty low and there aren't many tech/luxury features that can't be had in-cabin. I'd go ahead and splash out on the Crew Cab bodystyle, too, just in case Robertson feels like starting a carpool.

Honda recalling 748k Odyssey and Pilot models over airbag concern

American Honda today announced a recall of approximately 748,000 Odyssey and Pilot models due to faulty airbag concerns. The vehicles in question are Odyssey minivans from the 2011 to 2013 model years and Pilot crossovers from the 2009 to 2013 model years.
According to a statement from Honda, driver's side airbags in the affected vehicles were potentially assembled without some of the rivets that secure the bag's plastic cover. Because of this, the airbag may not deploy properly in the event of a crash, leading to further occupant injury. As of this writing, no injuries have been reported in conjunction with this issue.
Honda will begin officially notifying owners via mail in mid-February. The automaker urges customers to take their vehicles to an authorized dealership, where vehicles will be inspected and, if necessary, repaired. In lieu of waiting for the snail mail approach, owners may also visit www.recalls.honda.com or can contact the automaker directly at 1.800.999.1009 and select option four.