Honda and its Acura luxurious model are asking house owners of about 8,200 autos from mannequin years 2001-2003 to cease driving their vehicles till the automaker can end changing probably lethal Takata airbag inflators first recalled a decade in the past.
“For those who personal one in every of these autos and nonetheless have an open Takata airbag recall, don’t drive it till this pressing, lifesaving recall has been accomplished,” the corporate urges in a press launch issued with the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA).
“These autos are 20 to 22 years previous now, and the danger to car occupants is dire,” they are saying.
Affected fashions embody:
Historical past’s Largest Recall Nonetheless Claiming Lives
It’s an issue you’ve most likely heard about earlier than. However it could even be an issue you haven’t handled in your automobile.
Honda’s warning is the newest chapter within the ongoing saga of the most important recall in automotive historical past.
The Takata airbag recall began in 2013 and included vehicles made by 34 producers and offered on at the very least 5 continents. The federal authorities’s Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) says at the very least 67 million vehicles on American roads carried the lethal components when sellers first offered them.
NHTSA says as many as 50 million have been repaired or taken off the street. However there could also be 17 million vehicles nonetheless driving round with a probably lethal defect.
An Explosive In Your Steering Wheel
An airbag inflator is a small metallic capsule containing chemical substances that mix to create a quickly increasing fuel.
In an accident, the inflator is meant to squirt that fuel out of a nozzle, shortly inflating a folded airbag in order that it may cushion occupants from hitting collapsing automobile components.
Some Takata inflators, nevertheless, can explode beneath strain as an alternative. That may ship sizzling metallic fragments flying towards drivers and passengers.
The Takata company, at one level, was the world’s largest producer of airbag inflators. Takata inflators had been present in vehicles constructed by dozens of producers worldwide.
In line with the Related Press, they’ve killed at the very least 32 individuals worldwide and 23 within the U.S.
Warnings Rising Extra Pressing
Hyundai and Acura should not the primary producers to ask house owners to cease driving older vehicles. Dodge and Chrysler did the identical twice in 2022.
Automakers are struggling to get via to the final house owners who haven’t had the recall restore carried out. They typically attain out repeatedly. Final yr, NHTSA confirmed one other Takata airbag-related dying of a person who had obtained greater than 100 notices to deliver his automobile in for a free, new inflator.
Honda says it has changed greater than 99% of the recalled inflators, “however it’s completely essential that these remaining car house owners act now to guard themselves and their family members.”
The Restore Is Fast and Simple
By now, just about each automobile dealership in America has changed dozens of Takata airbag inflators. They’re good at it. Sellers inform us the appointment to exchange an inflator usually takes lower than an hour.
Recall repairs are free. Test whether or not your automobile has any excellent recollects with the straightforward VIN device at our recall heart.
Acura/Honda Buyer Service may be reached at 888-234-2138 or by visiting their Takata airbag inflator recall web site.