Car giant Honda has warned the public of a potential killer defect in some airbag systems.

The company said the affected cars were all Fit, FR-V and CR-V models manufactured between 2001 and 2016.

Owners of cars which might be at risk of an airbag malfunction should contact Honda dealership Auto Solutions to check their vehicle identification number to see if their vehicle is affected.

Repairs will be done free of charge and will take about an hour.

About 20 people worldwide have died as a result of a fault in Takata-manufactured airbags fitted to vehicles made by 19 carmakers mostly from 2002 to 2015.

No known incidents have happened in Bermuda as a result of the defect.

Glen Smith, Auto Solutions general manager, said most of the deaths have happened in humid countries like Bermuda.

A chemical inside the airbag inflator has been found to become unstable after years of exposure to moisture and temperature changes.

Takata used an ammonium nitrate-based propellent without a chemical drying agent.

The inflator can blow apart in the event of a crash and shoot metal fragments into the passenger cabin, which can cause serious injury or death.

There are about 1,500 of the cars in Bermuda though some may no longer be on the road.

Auto Solutions said about 850 have been accounted for so far and that the firm was working with the Transport Control Department to compile a full list including those off the road.

The recall has affected more than 37 million vehicles in the US — the biggest single motor vehicle safety recall in the country’s history.

Terry Heilbron, service manager at Auto Solutions, said: “It doesn’t affect every car — it depends on the Vin, better known as the chassis number.

“We have a dedicated person in place with a dedicated telephone number and e-mail address.

“Owners can either call or e-mail and they must include the Vin number so they can tell exactly which recall is to take place on the car.

“Some of the vehicles have one air bag to be replaced and some of the cars have two to be replaced — on the driver’s and passenger’s side.”

Mr Smith said every effort had been made to alert owners to the recall.

He said: “Safety is our main concern at the end of the day.

“We have gone out using social media, Facebook. We have done radio and newspaper ads.

“TCD has been very helpful with this and will be getting us the latest numbers.

“It is the largest recall ever in the automobile industry worldwide — it is not just Honda that is affected there are other brands that use the same airbag.”

The problem was first detected in 2014 and recall notices are regularly repeated.

Owners of the Honda models at risk should contact Auto Solutions with their Vin number to find out if work is needed.

Honda owners should call Janeen Daley on 295-5000 or e-mail hondarecall@autosolutions.bm

Auto Solutions, 61 St John’s Road, Pembroke, is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm. For more information, visit www.autosolutions.bm.