Updated

Japan's Honda Motor Co. Ltd. (search) is recalling 257,616 of its Accord sedans from the 2004 and 2005 model years because of potentially faulty air bags, U.S. federal safety regulators said on Monday.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (search) said a tear may occur in the driver's side front air bag of the Accords, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The recall is expected to begin on Dec. 6 and owners of the vehicles affected should contact the U.S. division of Honda at 1-800-999-1009.