A Honda executive told Congress today that the company failed to properly notify federal regulators of some crashes in which airbags made by Takata Corp. exploded and to clearly warn customers of the danger some vehicles could pose.
He also acknowledged that the automaker still doesn’t know for sure the extent of the problem but said it is working to find out and to make repairs as quickly as possible.
The executive, Rick Schostek, said he understands why consumers could be confused about whether they need to get their vehicle repaired. At one point, he struggled to respond when one senator asked if his daughter is safe driving her 2007 Honda Civic, which has not been recalled.
But Schostek generally took responsibility for Honda’s role in the crisis and expressed a willingness to work with regulators and consumers -- offering loaner vehicles to anyone who can’t get their airbag replaced quickly due to parts shortages.