Honda has added 437,700 cars, mainly in North America, to its existing global safety recall over airbag inflation problems.
It broadens a recall announced in late 2008 for less than 4,000 Accord and Civic sedans, then expanded in mid-2009 to cover another 510,000 vehicles.
The latest announcement also covers Japan, Mexico, Taiwan and Australia.
The fresh blow to Japanese carmakers came as Toyota recalled nearly half a million hybrid cars over faulty brakes.
Toyota has already had to bring millions of other vehicles back to dealerships amid accelerator and floormat problems.
