Honda will recall as many as 1 million more vehicles due to airbag problems, including '03 Accords.

One of the largest safety-related problems in automotive history has become even bigger, faulty Takata-made airbags forcing Honda to recall as many as 1 million more vehicles, while Subaru has become the eighth automaker impacted by the problem.

More than 10 million vehicles have been affected by the defect which could cause airbags to improperly inflate in a crash, potentially sending shrapnel flying into the passenger compartment.

The announcement comes a day after Honda announced a separate recall due to a separate problem involving the headlights on some of the vehicles sold by its Acura luxury brand. Ford, meanwhile, announced six separate recalls on Tuesday covering over 100,000 vehicles. All told, more than 41 million cars, trucks and crossovers have been recalled since January 1, already a record well ahead of the 34.1 million vehicles recalled in 2004.

The latest Honda airbag recall, meanwhile, comes a month after the maker announced it would call back 2 million vehicles due to problems with defective Takata airbags. That issue has affected a wide range of manufacturers, notably including Japan’s Big Three, but also General Motors, BMW, and smaller Asian brands Mazda and, now, Subaru.

(Ford, Hyundai add more vehicles to recall parade. Click Here for the latest.)

The problem has been blamed on manufacturing defects that can cause the airbag inflators to trigger with more force than necessary, resulting in possible shrapnel spewing into the cabin. That appears to have been the case with the crash of an old Accord in California triggering the latest Honda recall. The maker says the move is limited to vehicles sold in the Golden State.

The final figure isn’t clear but is expected to involve between 500,000 and 1 million sedans, minivans, SUVs and crossovers sold by both the Honda and Acura brands. The focus will be on replacing potentially faulty passenger-side front airbag modules. Vehicles covered include some 2003 to 2005 Honda Accords, Civics, CR-Vs, Elements, Pilots, Acura MDX and 2005 Acura RLs and 2003 to 2004 Honda Odysseys.

(Automakers obliterate previous recall record – in just six months. Click Here for the story.)

Earlier recalls for defective Takata airbags include some other models, including the Honda Ridgeline and Acura TL.

As for Subaru, the recall will impact a relatively small number of products considering the Takata problem has now snared 11 million vehicles, all told. About 8,600 Legacy sedans, Outback wagons and Baja crossovers sold in 2003 and 2004 are covered, as are 2004 Impreza, WRX and WRX STI models.

The repairs are considered relatively simple, across the board, though the large number of vehicles impacted by the various manufacturers could make scheduling a challenge for some dealers. All repairs will be conducted free of charge.

Airbag-related recalls have surged in recent years, and not only because of the Takata problem. Hyundai recently ordered a recall connected to a separate supplier.

(GM recall blitz may finally be winding down. Click Here for the latest on this story.)

Recalls, in general, are running at record levels this year, though General Motors alone has ordered nearly half of all the service actions since January, covering around 19 million vehicles sold in the U.S. alone.

(Troubled Japanese supplier Takata is behind one of the worst safety problems in years. Click Here for more.)