**Japanese carmaker Honda has announced it is recalling 440,000 vehicles in the US due to an airbag defect.**One fatality and a number of injuries have been linked to the defect, Honda said. The carmaker had already recalled some models last November.
The recall includes some of the company’s best-selling Accord and Civic models from 2001 and 2002.
The carmaker said it would contact customers and arrange for the airbag to be replaced free of charge.
"If an affected [airbag] inflator deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator casing to rupture.
“Metal fragments could pass through the cloth airbag cushion, possibly causing an injury or fatality to vehicle occupants,” Honda said.