Honda to expand air bag recall nationwide

Stephanie Erdman at Takata hearing
Stephanie Erdman of Destin, Florida, who was seriously injured by the air bag explosion in her Honda Civic during a traffic accident last year, testifies during a hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Nov. 20, 2014, in Washington, D.C.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

Under pressure from federal regulators, Honda is expanding a recall of driver's side air bags to all 50 states.

• Related: Takata back on Capitol Hill after deadline to widen recall passes

• In Minnesota: Woman says exploding air bag left her blind

The air bags, made by Japanese supplier Takata Corp., can explode with too much force, sending metal shrapnel into the passenger compartment.

Takata insists that current recalls covering 8 million U.S. cars in high-humidity areas are sufficient. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants the recalls expanded nationwide after some incidents outside the high-humidity zones.

Rick Schosteck, Honda's executive vice president for North America, told House lawmakers Wednesday that Honda will expand the regional recall it began in June, but will continue to prioritize high-humidity areas.

He also said Honda is working with other air bag manufacturers to make sure it has enough parts.

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