KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 28): Honda Malaysia has confirmed that a Takata driver's airbag inflator ruptured in a fatal car crash involving a Honda City in Johor on Sept 24, though the official cause of death has yet to be determined.

The vehicle in the crash was included in two Malaysian product recalls — the first announced on July 10 last year to replace the inflator of the driver's front airbag, and a second one on June 23, 2016 to replace the passenger's front airbag inflator, it said in a statement today.

Though it said the first recall repair was never completed, it did not indicate if the second recall repair was done.

"A notification letter was sent out to the owner related to the (July 10, 2015) recall and our records indicate that the recall repair was never completed," it said.

It also confirmed that the passenger's airbag inflator did not rupture. It deployed and functioned in a proper manner in this crash, it said.

"Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the family of the driver during this difficult time... Honda is communicating with the authorities and representative of the driver's family. Out of respect for the family, Honda will not provide any personal information," it added.

Meanwhile, Honda Malaysia said it continues to urge owners of Honda vehicles affected by the Takata airbag inflator product recall to get their vehicles repaired at authorized Honda dealers, Service Central Hubs or Mobile Hubs as soon as possible.

Vehicle owners, it said, can check their vehicles' product recall status at www.productrecall.honda.com.my or www.honda.com.my or call its toll free number at 1-800-88-2020 or visit any Honda authorized dealers.