Honda has issued a “do not drive” warning for an estimated 8,200 Hondas and Acuras believed to remain on the roads with unsafe airbags.

The “urgent, lifesaving recall” applies to certain 2001 to 2003 vehicles equipped with unrepaired Takata Alpha driver side bag inflators, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement.

“These vehicles are 20 to 22 years old now, and they pose a 50% chance of rupturing in even a minor crash,” said Ann Carlson, NHTSA acting administrator. “Don’t gamble with your life or the life of someone you love – schedule your free repair today before it’s too late.”

Takata airbag inflator issues came to light in 2008 and continue today; they have been attributed to at least 23 deaths in the U.S. 

The inflators use phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) as a propellant that has been known to result in violent explosions and send metal shrapnel into the faces of vehicle occupants. A federal class action lawsuit was filed in May against ARC Automotive, Audi, Volkswagen, General Motors, and Ford for use of the same propellant in their airbag inflators. A $1 million lawsuit was also filed in Texas against Ford Motor Co. and Yaklin Ford in July 2020 for injuries allegedly caused by an inflator explosion.

The NHTSA’s Recalls Lookup Tool and SafeCar app are among the resources available for shops to check for open recalls on behalf of their customers.

Generally speaking, auto techs who have failed to properly address recalls while making repairs have faced lawsuits in the past. 

Last September, a Mississippi woman filed suit against Volvo Cars and the dealer that serviced her vehicle, alleging that their negligence led to a “severe life altering accident” in 2021.

The suit alleged that technicians assured the plaintiff that the vehicle was safe to drive when it was not, and that they failed to address a seat belt recall that was apparently outside the scope of the work the dealer was asked to perform.

Last June in Texas, a woman claimed a defective Takata airbag inflator allegedly not replaced by Ford or an OEM dealership was at fault for her losing an eye and sustaining other injuries in a June 2020 crash.

The suit alleges that technicians assured the plaintiff that the vehicle was safe to drive when it was not, and that they failed to address a seat belt recall that was apparently outside the scope of the work the dealer was asked to perform.

Affected models include:

• • 2001-2002 Honda Accord
  • 2001-202 Honda Civic
  • 2002 Honda CR-V
  • 2002 Honda Odyssey
  • 2003 Honda Pilot
  • 2002-2003 Acura 3.2 TL
  • 2003 Acura 3.2 CL

Those impacted by the recall can arrange repairs by calling Acura/Honda customer service at 888-234-2138 or by visiting the Takata website.

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