More airbag recalls on the way: U.S. agency

Another problem has developed with automotive airbags, this one resulting in recalls of up to five million vehicles worldwide.

In documents filed with the U.S. government, Continental Automotive Systems says moisture can get inside its airbag-control computers, causing the power supplies to corrode and fail. If that happens, airbags may not inflate in a crash, or they could deploy without a crash.

The documents, posted Thursday by the U.S. NHTSA, say Continental will notify automakers, who will then recall cars dating as far back as 2006. Already Honda, Fiat Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz have issued recalls. Honda reported two injuries from the problem and, according to documents, automakers will replace the computers at no cost.

The announcement comes in the middle of a recall crisis involving Takata airbag inflators. About 24 million U.S. vehicles are being recalled for that problem.

In the documents, Continental says its problem first surfaced in Jan. 2008. In early 2011, Continental was told of two inadvertent airbag deployments in Mercedes and Fiat Chrysler vehicles.

Last year, Honda reported two malfunctions in crashes involving 2008 Accords, according to the documents.

Honda said it would recall 364,787 Accord sedans from 2008 to 2010 worldwide because of the issue.

Fiat Chrysler announced it is recalling 112,000 2009 Dodge Journeys, as well as the 2008 to 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country minivans for the same problem. Last year, Mercedes recalled 126,260 C-Class cars from 2008 and 2009, and 2010 GLK 350s because of the problem. Continental says any malfunction will cause the airbag-control computer to shut down.