When a vehicle manufacturer issues a recall, it’s typically because a safety concern has been identified in a car or truck. Fortunately, recall repairs are free (though your vehicle may be out of use while in the shop). If you own a newer vehicle included in a recall, you’ll receive a notice from the automaker with details on where to take it for repairs.
Airbags and seat belts play a crucial role in protecting you and your passengers during a crash. However, a malfunctioning airbag that deploys incorrectly or unintentionally can pose a serious risk of injury. That’s why it’s vital to stay informed about recalls and promptly address any necessary repairs to keep your vehicle safe.
Several million cars have been recalled over faulty Takata airbag inflators that can explode during deployment. This can cause the airbags to rupture and spray deadly shrapnel throughout the cabin, increasing the risk of death or injury. But despite this massive recall, many vehicles are still at risk, especially those in high-heat and humidity states like Florida.
According to a recent report from Carfax, over 6.4 million cars have unrepaired Takata airbags, an entire decade after the recall was initiated. Many of these cars are in states classified as “Zone A,” meaning they face the greatest risk of dangerous airbag explosions.
If you’re a Honda owner, you might be at risk for an airbag explosion in your vehicle. The company is recalling 1.2 million Honda and Acura models from 2001 to 2016 over a potential issue with the airbag inflators that can explode when exposed to hot or humid weather.
The airbags affected by this recall are located on the front edge of the dashboard on the driver’s side of the car. The vehicles involved are the 2002-2004 Honda Accord, 2003-2005 Honda Civic, 2002-2007 and 2010-2011 Honda Element, 2006-2014 Honda Fit, 2007-2011 Honda Odyssey, 2001-2005 Honda Pilot, 2005 Honda CR-V, 2003-2006 Acura MDX, and 2013-2016 Acura ILX.
The problem stems from a plastic cover in the inflator that can become deformed over time, rupturing the inflator. Honda is working with Takata to replace the inflators in these vehicles, but in the meantime, they’ve issued a safety warning.
If your car is affected by a recall, you should call your dealer as soon as possible to schedule a repair. You can check for recalls using your vehicle identification number and learn more about the problem by visiting NHTSA’s Takata recall page.
NHTSA is the government agency overseeing vehicle manufacturers’ compliance with safety standards and recall practices. It has conducted investigations of Takata’s PSAN inflators and successfully pressured the company to recall millions of vehicles with defective airbags. It also oversees the vehicle manufacturer’s replacement parts availability and timing and their efforts to encourage owners to bring in their cars for repair.