Honda Motor on Friday issued a “Do Not Drive” warning for 8,200 model yr Acura and Honda vehicles with unrepaired Takata air bag inflators in the USA.
The urgent warning covers various 2001-2003 model yr Honda Accord, Civic CR-V and Odyssey, Pilot and Acura 3.2CL and three.2 TL vehicles with so-called “Alpha” inflators.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said owners of those vehicles shouldn’t drive them until they get repairs, warning “the danger to vehicle occupants is dire.”
Greater than 30 deaths worldwide – including a minimum of 23 US fatalities – and a whole bunch of injuries in various automakers’ vehicles since 2009 are linked to Takata air bag inflators that may explode, unleashing potentially deadly metal shrapnel inside vehicles.
NHTSA said last month a February death of the motive force of a 2002 Accord in Bowling Green, Kentucky, was on account of a faulty air bag inflator. Honda has reported 17 US deaths and greater than 200 injuries in the USA related to Takata inflator ruptures.
Honda has reported 17 US deaths and greater than 200 injuries in the USA related to Takata inflator ruptures.REUTERS
During the last decade, greater than 67 million Takata air bag inflators have been recalled in the USA and greater than 100 million worldwide, in the largest auto safety callback in history.
Honda said on Friday it has attempted to achieve owners greater than 18.3 million times including mailed notifications, emails, phone calls and door-to-door visits. The Japanese automaker emphasized it’s offering free towing and loaner vehicles for the free recall repair. Honda has thus far replaced or accounted for greater than 99% of the “Alpha” inflators.
A Takata airbag that was removed.REUTERS
Honda said “we’re concerned for the security of those that haven’t responded and at the moment are adopting the brand new Stop Driving messaging to spur them to act.”
In November, Chrysler parent Stellantis urged owners of 276,000 older US vehicles to instantly stop driving after three crash deaths tied to faulty Takata air bag inflators were reported.
NHTSA said the Takata recalls were spurred by propellant that might break down after long-term exposure to high-temperature fluctuations and humidity.