The manufacturer has elevated its recall notice to a “Do Not Drive” warning for thousands of older Honda and Acura cars with Takata Alpha airbags, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported on Friday.
The U.S. government and Honda — the parent company of Acura — consider the airbag inflators in these older vehicles to be dangerous, with the NHTSA describing the risk to vehicle occupants as “dire.”
“These inflators are two decades old now, and they pose a 50% chance of rupturing in even a minor crash,” Ann Carlson, NHTSA acting administrator, said in a statement. “Don’t gamble with your life or the life of someone you love — schedule your free repair today before it’s too late.”
The recall affects certain 2001 – 2003 model-year Acura and Honda vehicles, as listed below.
These cars have driver-side airbag inflators that could cause explosions with the possibility of ejecting shrapnel. The safety agency said that some of the shrapnel could strike the driver in the face causing “devastating, life-altering injuries,” or death.
Exploding airbags have killed 33 people and injured 400 others worldwide since 2009, NBCDFW reported.
Takata, the manufacturer of the inflators, used small amounts of an explosive substance called ammonium nitrate to set off the airbags in the event of a crash. When exposed to moisture in the air and high temperatures, the substance becomes more volatile over time.
Although Honda says the company has already replaced or accounted for 99% of the airbag inflators under the recall, there are still some 8,200 vehicles on the road that need repair.
Honda and Acura dealers are offering free repairs to any affected vehicles and are also providing free loaner or rental cars, mobile repair, or towing, if needed.
The affected vehicles are as follows:
- 2001 and 2002 Honda Accord and Civic
- 2002 Honda CR-V and Odyssey SUVs
- 2003 Honda Pilot
- 2002 and 2003 Acura 3.2 TL
- 2003 Acura 3.2 CL
Owners can check whether their automobile has an open Takata airbag recall by entering their vehicle identification number (VIN) on the NHTSA website.
The Dallas Express reached out for comment from the NHTSA but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
