Honda Malaysia confirms Takata airbag ruptured in fatal crash

The crash, involving a Honda City that was due for a recall repair, had claimed the life of its driver, a 44-year-old mother-of-two.

"Honda has confirmed during an inspection with the Royal Malaysia Police that the Takata single stage (SDI) driver's airbag inflator ruptured in the crash of a 2005 Honda City on June 26, 2016 in Selangor state. The vehicle involved in this crash was included in a Malaysian Product Update (recall) announced on May 21, 2015, requiring replacement of the SDI inflator of the Takata driver’s front airbag," the Japanese carmaker said in a statement.

"Since 2015, this vehicle involved in this crash has been included in both driver's Takata airbag inflator and passenger's Takata airbag inflator recalls. Three mailed recall notices related to those recalls were sent to the owner. Our records indicate that the recall repair was never completed."

Honda Malaysia also said they were in contact with the driver's family in an effort to resolve their remaining concerns.

In the tragic event yesterday, housewife Norazlin Haron, 44, was reportedly driving from her house in Taman Seri Gombak to Uptown Kota Damansara when it had a minor collision with a Mercedes-Benz in Jalan Teknologi.

Several local media reported that in the 12.30pm incident, a projectile from the airbag was believed to have pierced Norazlin in the chest.

Sungai Buloh Fire and Rescue Department responded to the emergency call. The department's senior officer, Rosdi Hainan, reportedly said the victim was found gasping for air in the driver's seat.

The victim died in the car shortly after the incident.

The three passengers in the Honda City – Norazlin's 22-year-old niece and sons aged nine and 12, were all unhurt.