Federal agency opens investigation into faulty Honda air bags

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Federal safety regulators opened an investigation into Honda Motor Co.'s 2008 Accord model after more than a dozen reports of air-bag failures.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration documents show as many as 384,000 vehicles might be affected by a problem with the air bag control computer module. The malfunction causes the air bag status indicator light on the instrument panel to illuminate, disabling the air bag system until it is repaired.

The federal agency said there have been 19 complaints, including an incident in Belleview, Fla., in which the air bag did not deploy when the car hit a concrete wall at 50 mph, injuring one person.

American Honda Motor Co. said it is aware of the NHTSA investigation.

"Honda will cooperate with the NHTSA through the investigation process, and we will continue our own internal review of the available information," the company said.

This isn't the first time Honda has faced an investigation into the air bags. In July, the company recalled 4.5 million cars worldwide in connection with Takata Corp. air bags.