American Honda Motor Company has announced plans to recall certain U.S. vehicles that had already been fixed under a previous recall due to faulty Takata airbags. This new recall will encompass approximately 1.1 million Honda and Accura vehicles in the United States that were fixed with airbag inflators now deemed to be faulty.
Although the replacement inflators were not recalled or considered faulty at the time, Honda is now aware that a manufacturing defect allowed too much moisture into the inflators, increasing the possibility that the inflator can rupture and potentially send metal fragments into vehicle occupants. This is similar or identical to the issue that caused the airbags to be recalled in the first place. As we explained in this article, Takata is supposed to stop using ammonium nitrate (the chemical that can become unstable with heat and moisture) in new orders but can continue using it in existing orders. It’s not clear what constitutes an “existing order” or whether these faulty replacement inflators indeed used the same chemical.
This new recall includes certain vehicles from the following models:
- 2003 Acura 3.2CL
- 2013-2016 Acura ILX
- 2003-2006 Acura MDX
- 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL
- 2004-2006 and 2009-2014 Acura TL
- 2007-2016 Acura RDX
- 2010-2013 Acura ZDX
- 2001-2007 and 2009 Honda Accord
- 2001-2005 Honda Civic
- 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 Honda CR-V
- 2003-2011 Honda Element
- 2007 Honda Fit
- 2002-2004 Honda Odyssey
- 2003-2008 Honda Pilot
- 2006-2014 Honda Ridgeline
Notices will go out to owners in April, but people who own these models can check their VIN now to determine if their vehicle is affected. If your vehicle is included in this recall, contact your dealer. Honda says that replacement parts (from manufacturers other than Takata) are currently available at dealerships and will be installed for free.
Currently, the company knows of one injury due to the faulty replacement inflators: a 2004 Honda Odyssey whose inflator exploded after a crash, injuring the arm of the driver.
The full statement from Honda can be found here.
CarseatBlog will continue to provide updates about the Takata airbag recalls as they become available.