Honda Recalls 1.2 Million More Vehicles Due to Dangerous Takata Airbags

Honda is recalling approximately 1,200,000 vehicles in North and Central America due to a type of Takata airbag once thought to be safe. The recall is for 2001 to 2016 model years to replace inflators that had not been included in the prior Takata recalls for air bags that can throw shrapnel into the passenger compartment. The recall occurred after a crash and explosion in Maryland injured the driver of a Honda minivan. Takata used ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a collision. However, the chemical can deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures and humidity and blow apart a metal canister, spewing out shrapnel.

The inflators in the most recent Takata recall contain a moisture-absorbing chemical that was added to keep the ammonium nitrate stable. They were believed to be safe, and were used to replace older inflators under recalls that began in 2014. But Honda and the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initiated an investigation and determined that inflators made at Takata’s Monclova, Mexico, factory were faulty due to a manufacturing defect. The Honda vehicles will be recalled a second time to replace the inflators.

The recall covers 2001 to 2007 and 2009 Honda Accords, the 2001 to 2005 Civic, the 2002 to 2007 and 2010 and 2011 CR-V, the 2003 to 2011 Element, the 2007 Fit, the 2002 to 2004 Odyssey, the 2003 to 2008 Pilot, and the 2006 to 2014 Ridgeline pickup. Also included are certain 2003 Acura 3.2CL cars, as well as the 2013 to 2016 ILX, the 2003 to 2006 MDX, the 2007 to 2016 RDX, the 2002 to 2003 3.2TL, the 2004 to 2006 and 2009 to 2014 TL, and the 2010 to 2013 ZDX.

NHTSA said not all vehicles that received replacement air bag inflators are affected. Some had replacement parts from other manufacturers that are safe. Owners can check for open recalls by keying in their 17-digit vehicle identification number on the NHTSA website www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. Honda owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by mail in early April, but replacement parts from manufacturers other than Takata are available to begin the recall immediately. Honda is offering free loaner cars while vehicles are being repaired.

The Takata recalls together are the largest series of automotive recalls in U.S. history, with as many as 70 million inflators to be recalled by the end of next year. About 100 million inflators are to be recalled worldwide.

Here are some of the Fatal Accidents Attributed to Defective Takata Airbags in the United States:

If you have questions regarding your Honda, you should contact the experienced lemon law attorneys at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® at www.yourlemonlawrights.com or call 1-800-US-LEMON (800-875-3666), toll-free. Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® has been effectively assisting Honda customers in Lemon Law claims involving various defects in all makes and models. Our lemon law attorneys will take time to talk to you about your rights and will let you know if they can help.

Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® was founded in 1995 and has helped over 45,000 consumers nationwide enforce their rights against manufacturers of defective consumer products.