A defective driver's airbag inflator is the reason behind a recall of 3,940 MY2001 Honda Accords and Civics in the States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that in these particular models the driver's air bag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure. In the case that an affected air bag deploys, the increased internal pressure could rupture the inflator allowing metal fragments to pass through the air bag cushion material possibly causing injury to vehicle occupants. Honda said that the recall is expected to begin on or before December 22, 2008, with dealers replacing the air bag inflator free of charge.