Honda ‘Do Not Drive’ advisory over Takata airbag recall

DETROIT – Honda and the US government are urging owners of about 8,200 older vehicles not to drive them until the dangerous airbag inflators are replaced.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Friday issued a “Do Not Drive” advice to vehicles between 2001 and 2003 with Takata inflatables with a high risk of exploding and splashing. shrapnel on impact.

The safety agency says the risk to drivers and passengers is great because the so-called “Alpha” inflators have a 50 percent chance of exploding on impact. If the inflatables explode, they can shoot shrapnel in the face of the driver, potentially killing them or seriously injuring them.

The agency said Honda and Acura vehicles had been previously recalled, but records show the affected vehicles were not repaired. Honda has replaced 99% of hazardous inflatable parts.

Affected vehicles include the 2001 and 2002 Honda Accord and Civic, the 2002 Honda CR-V and Odyssey SUV, the 2003 Honda Pilot, the 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL, and the 2003 Acura 3.2 CL.

Owners can check if their car is covered by accessing and entering their 17-digit vehicle identification number.

Ann Carlson, Acting Administrator of NHTSA said: “These inflatables have been in use for two decades and they have a 50% chance of breaking even with a slight impact. “Don’t risk your life or the life of someone you love – schedule a free repair today before it’s too late.”

Takata used ammonium nitrate to create a small explosion to inflate the airbag on impact. But the chemical can become more volatile over time with repeated exposure to moisture in the air and high temperatures. The explosion could shatter the metal box and throw shrapnel into the passenger compartment.

Since 2009, exploding airbags have killed at least 33 people worldwide, including 24 in the US.

Most of the deaths and about 400 injuries have occurred in the United States, but they have also occurred in Australia and Malaysia.

Honda says it has contacted owners more than 18 million times with notifications sent by mail, email, phone call and even home visits. The company says free repairs and parts are available. It offers free towing and lending facilities if needed.

The potential for dangerous malfunctions has led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 67 million Takata inflatables recalled. The US government says that millions have not been repaired. About 100 million inflatables have been recalled worldwide. Exploding airbags caused Japan’s Takata Corporation to go bankrupt.

By far, Honda has the highest number of vehicles using Takata pumps.