Takata airbag safety recall expanding

[California98Civic]

Over on the Honda-Tech forums I learned yesterday that the Takata exploding airbag problem is worse than thought. It seems that on January 24th or thereabouts the US's National Highway & Transportation Safety Administration and dealers are going to announce the specifics of an expanded recall that includes a number of manufacturers from 1995 through 1999. Details at NHTSA: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/201...9E080-7937.PDF

I searched for Takata recall info on the ecomodder website I didn't find anything on this news, so I thought I'd share.

[MeteorGray]

It's amazing to me that the problem existed for so long without something being done.

[Grant-53]

The airbags on our 2007 Honda Accord were replaced by the dealer. So how many older cars have never been in an accident? Quality Assurance is based on statistical data.

[roosterk0031]

The recall is replacing some that have already been replaced once so even if you had yours replaced you'll want to check it out.

[Piotrsko]

My golf has 3, apparently they were putting removed airbags back in cars.

[California98Civic]

From Honda:

January 21, 2020 — TORRANCE, Calif.

Not related to prior Takata airbag inflator recalls; Different inflator type with a different defect
Approximately 2.4 million Acura and Honda vehicles to be recalled in the United States
Free recall inspections and free repairs to begin in approximately one year, as alternative replacement parts are not yet available

American Honda will recall approximately 2.4 million Honda and Acura automobiles from the 1996 through 2003 model years in the United States to inspect and, if needed, replace certain Takata driver front airbag inflators manufactured with non-azide propellant (NADI), for free. Free recall inspections and repairs will begin in approximately one year, as replacement parts from alternative suppliers are not yet available.

In November 2019, Takata submitted a defect information report (DIR) to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) related to NADI inflators installed in multiple automakers’ vehicles. NADI inflators pre-date and are different from Takata non-desiccated inflators involved in earlier airbag inflator recalls. Manufactured without appropriate seals, recalled NADI inflators may allow air and moisture to leak into the inflators over an extended period, causing propellant degradation. If a recalled NADI inflator-equipped airbag with degraded propellant deploys during a crash, it may deploy too slowly or, in very rare cases, too forcefully, rupturing and throwing metal pieces of the inflator toward vehicle occupants. Either scenario could contribute to occupant injuries.

Honda is aware of one field rupture of a NADI inflator in a Honda vehicle globally. That rupture occurred during a crash of a 1997 Honda Civic in Texas in 2012. In addition, Honda is aware of two NADI inflator ruptures during vehicle scrapping activity in Japan. Each of these vehicles potentially was exposed to unusually high levels of moisture prior to the rupture events.

Initial mailed notification to owners of recalled vehicles will begin in mid-March 2020 with a second notice planned when replacement parts become available. Owners may also check their vehicles’ recall status now at www.recalls.acura.com and www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (888) 234-2138.

Models included in this recall (certain specific vehicles only):

Acura:
1997-1998 2.2CL
1997-1999 3.0CL
1998-1999 2.3CL
2001-2002 3.2CL
2001-2002 MDX
1998-2003 3.5RL
1999-2001 3.2TL

Honda:
1998-2000 Accord (Coupe and Sedan)
1996-2000 Civic (Coupe and Sedan)
1997-2001 CR-V
1998-2001 Odyssey
1997-1998 EV Plus

With thanks to Chryslerkid over on honda-tech.com (he's also a sometime participant here at EM).

[California98Civic]

Further information from NHTSA in the USA, including news of a rarer "do not drive" recall for BMW's 1999 323i and 328i models:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls/takata-air-bags-nadi

[California98Civic]

The latest, from yesterday:

https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-co...nflator-recall

Honda Newsroom | logo

Statement by American Honda Regarding NADI Airbag Inflator Recall

January 21, 2020 — TORRANCE, Calif.

American Honda will recall approximately 2.4 million Honda and Acura automobiles from the 1996 through 2003 model years in the United States to inspect and, if needed, replace certain Takata driver front airbag inflators manufactured with non-azide propellant (NADI), for free. Free recall inspections and repairs will begin in approximately one year, as replacement parts from alternative suppliers are not yet available.

In November 2019, Takata submitted a defect information report (DIR) to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) related to NADI inflators installed in multiple automakers’ vehicles. NADI inflators pre-date and are different from Takata non-desiccated inflators involved in earlier airbag inflator recalls. Manufactured without appropriate seals, recalled NADI inflators may allow air and moisture to leak into the inflators over an extended period, causing propellant degradation. If a recalled NADI inflator-equipped airbag with degraded propellant deploys during a crash, it may deploy too slowly or, in very rare cases, too forcefully, rupturing and throwing metal pieces of the inflator toward vehicle occupants. Either scenario could contribute to occupant injuries.

Honda is aware of one field rupture of a NADI inflator in a Honda vehicle globally. That rupture occurred during a crash of a 1997 Honda Civic in Texas in 2012. In addition, Honda is aware of two NADI inflator ruptures during vehicle scrapping activity in Japan. Each of these vehicles potentially was exposed to unusually high levels of moisture prior to the rupture events.

Initial mailed notification to owners of recalled vehicles will begin in mid-March 2020 with a second notice planned when replacement parts become available. Owners may also check their vehicles’ recall status now at www.recalls.acura.com and www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (888) 234-2138.

Models included in this recall (certain specific vehicles only):

Acura:
1997-1998 2.2CL
1997-1999 3.0CL
1998-1999 2.3CL
2001-2002 3.2CL
2001-2002 MDX
1998-2003 3.5RL
1999-2001 3.2TL

Honda:
1998-2000 Accord (Coupe and Sedan)
1996-2000 Civic (Coupe and Sedan)
1997-2001 CR-V
1998-2001 Odyssey
1997-1998 EV Plus

©2020 American Honda Motor Co., Inc