U.S. Regulators Probe Honda Over Accident Reports

U.S. regulators said Monday they have launched a probe into whether Honda Motor Co. failed to report cases of defective air bags, which have led to millions of recalled vehicles, along with other issues. Reports cited the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as saying it was checking to see if Honda complied with regulations requiring it submit quarterly reports of any incidents involving possibly defective parts. The potential violations involved air bags made by Japan's Takata Corp. , problems with which have led to numerous recalls at auto makers around the world, along with other defective parts. Honda has been given three weeks to answer a detailed questionnaire under oath about how it handled accident reports, Reuters reported. Honda shares sat 2% higher in Tokyo afternoon trade, though that lagged a 3.4% advance for the Nikkei Stock Average , of which Honda is a component.