Honda Withdraws Due to Faulty Driver Airbag Inflators

Bad news for the owner of the 2001 through 2003 model-year Honda and Acura vehicles because the North American division of Honda announced that they have decided to expand the previous recall which include vehicles that might have had the original driver’s airbag module replaced with an affected service part.

Honda states that the further investigation have revealed that a number of affected service part airbags were installed in these vehicles in the process of a collision repair or other vehicle service. The replacement driver’s airbag inflators in affected vehicles may deploy with too much pressure which can cause the inflator casing to rupture and could result in injury or fatality.

A company’s statement says, “Honda is aware of several incidents related to the earlier recall and expansions and now announcing this new recall expansion to encourage all owners of included vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive mailed notification from Honda.”

The recall affects certain 2001 Honda Accord and 2002 Honda Civic, 2002 Honda Odyssey, the 2002 and 2003 Honda CR-V, the selected 2002 Acura 3.2-liter TL  and 2003 Acura 3.2-liter TL, and 2003 Acura 3.2-liter CL vehicles. To ensure that all 2,430 recalled airbag inflator service parts are replaced, the recall is being expanded to include approximately 833,000 vehicles that may require inspection.

Owners of the vehicles affected by this recall should expect to receive a notification in late May 2011, by mail. Honda stated that if an owner is confident that the driver’s airbag in their vehicle never has been replaced, they can inform Honda by signing and returning a postage-paid postcard that will be included with the recall note. All others are encouraged to have their vehicle inspected by an authorized Honda or Acura dealer.

Well, Honda is not the only Japanese car manufacturer which reluctantly has to recall their older models. The Toyota and Nissan have the same issue. Toyota had to recall the RAv4, Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, while Nissan had to pull back their older SUVs.