Honda Quietly Replacing Takata Air Bags Across US, Even as Official Recall Covers Limited Area

Honda is quietly offering to replace potentially defective air bag parts across the U.S., even though its latest recall only covers cars in 13 high-humidity states and territories.

The replacement program for owners concerned about their safety was revealed in documents posted recently by U.S. safety regulators. Customers outside the recall areas won't be notified.

Honda says it's trying to take care of customers but is not expanding the recall nationwide.

The company announced in November that it would recall about 2.8 million 2001 to 2006 Hondas and Acuras to replace air bag inflators made by Takata Corp. They can explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and sending shrapnel into the passenger compartment.

At least five deaths worldwide have been linked to the faulty inflators.