Honda Motor is adding more than 378,000 cars to its safety recall for airbag inflation problems. (Associated Press)

Honda Motor Co. is adding more than 378,000 cars to an existing safety recall for airbag inflation problems.

The company said Tuesday it will replace the driver's-side airbag inflator on the cars because they can deploy with too much pressure, causing the inflator to rupture and injure or kill the driver.

The recall of certain 2001 and 2002 Accord sedans, Civic compacts, Odyssey minivans, CR-V small sport utility vehicles and some 2002 Acura TL sedans now affects more than 822,000 vehicles, including 41,685 in Canada.

Honda said it is aware of 12 incidents linked to the problem, with 11 injuries and one death. The company said it is not aware of any problems happening after July 2009.

"However, we have concluded that we cannot be completely certain that the driver's airbag inflator in the vehicles being added to this recall at this time will perform as designed," Honda said in a statement.

Honda's announcement comes at a time of increased attention on automotive recalls. Though the problems are unrelated, rival Toyota Motor Corp. is recalling more than eight million cars and trucks due to faulty gas pedals.

'Heightened sensitivity'

On Tuesday, Toyota said it would recall more than 440,000 of its flagship 2010 Prius hybrids due to a braking glitch.

"There is a heightened sensitivity right to anything to do with recalls," said John Mendel, executive vice-president of sales for American Honda.

Honda originally announced the recall to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in November of 2008, involving fewer than 4,000 of its 2001 Accords and Civics, the company said. The recall was expanded in July 2009 to 440,000 vehicles, including the 2001 and 2002 Accord and Civic, as well as certain 2002 Acura TL sedans.

Worldwide, Honda has recalled about 514,000 vehicles globally due to the airbag problem.

Company officials said the airbag produces too much pressure that can cause the inflator to rupture, sending metal fragments toward the driver.

Honda said owners should take their vehicles to dealerships as soon as they are notified by the company in writing. Notification will begin during the month of February.