More than 30 million vehicles spanning 12 automakers have been recalled because of faulty airbags supplied by Takata, a company that supplies airbag inflators to car manufacturers such as Ford, Honda, and Acura.
The faulty inflators have been found to randomly explode, sending particles toward the driver and other passengers. In November 2014, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration required car manufacturers to recall any vehicles made with these faulty airbags. And today, that recall continues to expand with Honda Motors adding another 2.23 million of its late model U.S. vehicles to the list. Although many of the Honda models affected date back to 2005, there are some 2015 and 2016 models contained in the recent list (see below).
In order for an airbag to inflate, ammonium nitrate is required to create a minor explosion. If the compound is exposed to heat and moisture, it will break down over time and become corrupted. Corrupted ammonium nitrate can cause a more forceful explosion that can bursts the metal container that’s designed to keep the explosion in check.
Although approximately 140 injuries and 11 fatalities have been connected with the airbag defect, Honda stated that the company is not aware of any inflator malfunctions of this kind in its vehicles.
Back in November, Honda recalled more than 5 million vehicles in the United States that contained the defective airbags.
Honda has said it will replace the airbag inflators at no cost to the owner of the affected vehicles, but stated the replacement components will not be available for several months. Regions of the U.S. that are more humid will receive the replacement parts before other areas of the country.
Honda Vehicle Models that are subject to the new recall include:
- 2005-2012 Acura RL
- 2007-2011 Honda CR-V
- 2007-2016 Acura RDX (early production model year 2016 vehicles only)
- 2007-2014 Honda Ridgeline
- 2009-2014 Honda Fit
- 2009-2014 Acura TL
- 2010-2014 Honda FCX Clarity
- 2010-2014 Honda Insight
- 2010-2013 Acura ZDX
- 2011-2015 Honda CR-Z
- 2013-2016 Acura ILX (early production model year 2016 vehicles only)
Honda said the most up-to-date consumer information about the recalls can be obtained at www.recalls.honda.com and www.recalls.acura.com, or by calling 888-234-2138.
Driving a car with this type of defect can be extremely dangerous. Pieces of metal can spray out into the car, penetrating the body and causing severe head injury or even death. Honda dealers have been asked to stop selling any vehicles that were affected by the recall. Many dealers are offering rental cars to customers who are waiting for their airbags to be repaired. If a dealer fails to repair one of the affected cars, the dealer will be responsible for any lawsuits arising from injury due to the defective airbags.
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