Honda Recalls Over 750,000 Vehicles Due to Air Bag Issue

Honda is recalling over 750,000 vehicles over a potentially life-threatening air bag issue, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

On Saturday, Honda issued a “Do Not Drive” warning for particular 2001-2003 Acura and Honda vehicles equipped with unrepaired Takata Alpha driver side air bag inflators.

These models, which are now between 20 and 22 years old, pose a potentially tragic risk to drivers. Alpha air bags, among the oldest to be recalled, have a 50% chance of failure. According to the NHTSA, if the inflators rupture, leading to metal fragments coming out toward the driver’s face, this could lead to fatality or leave them with life-altering injuries.

According to The Hill, Alex Ansley, chief of the Recall Management Division of the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation Enforcement, said, “The front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and short circuit, failing to suppress the air bag as intended.”

As a result of the defective seat weight sensors, the air bags may deploy “unintentionally during a crash,” which makes it more likely to cause an injury. According to an NHTSA letter to Honda, dealers will “replace the seat weight sensors” for free, and letters will be sent in mid-March informing owners about the recall.

NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson said, “If you have a vehicle with a recalled Takata Alpha air bag, you must get it repaired now — for free. These inflators are two decades old now, and they pose a 50% chance of rupturing in even a minor crash. 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 the following models: 2001-2002 Honda Accord, 2001-2002 Honda Civic, 2002 Honda CR-V, 2002 Honda Odyssey, 2003 Honda Pilot, 2002-2003 Acura 3.2 TL, 2003 Acura 3.2CL.

According to CBS News, this recall leads on from one in December, which impacted 1.12 million Toyota vehicles across the world because of a short circuit in a sensor that could result in air bags not deploying as they are meant to. In January, the carmaker warned drivers of 50,000 older cars to make sure they fix the defective air bags.

In December, Honda also called back 4.5 million vehicles around the world, of which 2.54 million were in the U.S., due to potential failure with the fuel pump. This defect could lead to vehicles stalling while driving and, in turn, increase the risk of an accident.