More than 400,000 Honda Odyssey and MDX models have been recalled around the world to fix a defect with the cars' airbag systems.
Approximately 342,000 Honda Odyssey people-movers and 63,400 Honda MDX SUVs are affected by the recall globally, including 374,000 in the US.
The official recall notice published by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US explains the supplemental restraint system (SRS) airbag system malfunction is caused by an electrical interference.
"Honda has received a small but increasing number of complaints in recent months of inadvertent airbag deployment in these vehicles, which are equipped with SRS control units that contain computer chips similar to those used in airbag system control units installed in other manufacturers' vehicles that were recalled in the last year," the NHTSA says.
Honda Australia says it will recall 1598 MDX vehicles built in 2003. The Honda Odyssey recall affects only the North American-spec model, and therefore does not apply to the car sold here.
Honda Australia says the recalled vehicles will have a noise suppressor added to prevent the malfunction in a process that will take about one hour. The recall will be completed free of charge.
The recall is the second for the MDX in 2013 after Honda Australia called back 595 cars built in 2005 to correct an issue with their electronic stability control systems.
