Honda Finally Begins Last Takata Airbag Inflator Recalls

AutoInformed.com on Acura and Honda Takata Airbag recalls

NHTSA wants 100% compliance – something that has never been accomplished on a large recall.

In the fifth – and so far, last – phase of forced Takata airbag recalls announced by NHTSA in May 2016, Honda will finally conduct recalls covering approximately 1.6 million Honda and Acura automobiles in the United States. It is a recall of a recall since the replacement Takata airbag inflators originally used also blew up with deadly force. (Happy New Year! Another 800,000 Deadly Takata Airbags Recalled)

The total number of recalled inflators rises to approximately 22.6 million in ~12.9 million Honda and Acura automobiles that have been or now are subject to recall for replacement of a Takata driver and/or passenger front airbag inflator in the United States.

These Takata replacement front airbag inflators do not contain a moisture absorbing desiccant. With this final action, Honda claims it has now recalled all Takata non-desiccated airbag inflators installed in Honda and Acura vehicles in the United States. (Takata Pleads Guilty of Falsifying Data on Airbag Shrapnel)

The inflators included in Phase 5 were used as replacement parts during early Takata airbag inflator recall repairs or were part of whole airbag modules replaced for “other reasons” prior to February 2017.

Honda claimed it decided to take this action early, ahead of NHTSA’s planned expansion date in late December 2019, because it has made significant progress with existing recall repairs – 83% completion rate as of 6/7/2019. An embarrassed NHTSA wants 100% compliance.

Honda also has adequate replacement parts, all from alternative suppliers since Takata is disgraced and bankrupt, to repair all affected Acura and Honda models, including those in the expanded population. Owners of affected vehicles should seek repair immediately at authorized Honda and Acura dealers.

In addition, all Honda Gold Wing motorcycles equipped with defective inflators in the U.S. were included in earlier recalls and remain eligible for repair. There have been no Takata airbag inflator ruptures involving Honda motorcycles globally. For more information about the history of Honda motorcycle airbags see: http://world.honda.com/MotorcycleAirbag/history/.

A free rental car is available to the vehicle owner for the day of the recall repair or longer if a replacement part is temporarily unavailable. Mailed notification to owners of recalled vehicles will begin in mid-August 2019. Automobile owners may also check their vehicles’ recall status now at www.recalls.acura.com and www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (888) 234-2138. Motorcycle customers can check recall status at www.powersports.honda.com/recalls or they can call (866) 784-1870 for Honda motorcycle recall information.

Since this recall primarily involves replacement inflators installed in vehicles previously subject to recall, the total number of Honda and Acura vehicles affected by Takata recalls does not change significantly with this action. The total number of recalled inflators does rise to approximately 22.6 million in approximately 12.9 million Honda and Acura automobiles that have been or now are subject to recall for replacement of a Takata driver and/or passenger front airbag inflator in the United States. In addition, approximately 4,540 Honda Gold Wing motorcycles are subject to recall for the replacement of the Takata airbag inflator module. No motorcycle products are involved in the recall just announced.

More Airbag Inflator Recall Information, including a detailed fact sheet can be found here: www.hondaairbaginfo.com.

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