Honda is expanding a recall on certain 2001 Honda Accords and Civics due to a potential defect in the airbags.

About 440,000 additional vehicles are included in the expanded recall, which was first announced in Nov. 2008. The recall requires the replacement of the driver's steering-wheel-mounted airbag inflator.

In some vehicles, airbag inflators can produce over-pressurization of the driver's (front) airbag inflator mechanism during airbag deployment. If an affected inflator deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator casing to rupture. Metal fragments could pass through the cloth airbag cushion material, possibly causing an injury or fatality to people in the car.

Affected consumers will get a recall notice in the mail over the next few months. The notice will include further instructions for scheduling a repair.

Owners may also confirm their vehicle's recall status by visiting the Honda "Owner Link" website at http://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/SEO/HondaRecall.asp or the Acura "My Acura" website at http://www.owners.acura.com/recalls.