NEW YORK: Honda has reached an $85 million settlement with multiple states over allegations that it hid safety failures in the airbags of certain Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S.
The settlement ties up an investigation into Hondas alleged failure to inform regulators and consumers of issues related to the significant risk of rupture in the frontal airbag systems installed in certain cars, which could cause metal fragments to fly into the passenger compartments. The systems were designed and made by Takata Corp.
The ruptures have resulted in at least 14 deaths and more than 200 injuries in the U.S., according to New York Attorney General Letitia James.
“Todays settlement will not only guarantee Honda replaces all remaining defective airbags on the road, but that the company takes specific actions to ensure any future defect is thoroughly made public in the future to avoid this type of danger, James said in a prepared statement.
The settlement was announced by James Tuesday, but involved attorneys general from 48 states.
Honda did not immediately respond when asked for comment.
Honda has recalled approximately 12.9 million Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the defective inflators since 2008.
Under a separate class action settlement, Honda customers are entitled to restitution for damages or injuries that occurred as a result of the defective airbags.
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