Media

• Certain model year 2001-2006 Honda and Acura vehicles originally sold or ever registered in 13 U.S. states and territories that consistently experience high absolute humidity will now be subject to recall 14V-700
• Affected vehicles previously were included in a safety improvement campaign or recall, announced in June 2014, or in a prior recall announced in April 2013; all campaigns/recalls require same repair
• No injuries or fatalities have been confirmed for the identified population related to this recall

Honda will transition certain 2001-2006 model year vehicles, most of which were included in a June 2014 safety improvement campaign (NHTSA 14V-353), into a formal recall of passenger front airbag inflators (NHTSA 14V-700). The affected vehicles were originally sold or ever registered in 13 U.S. states and territories that consistently experience high absolute humidity. The specific number of vehicles subject to this transition has not yet been determined.

Affected models are certain 2003-2005 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic, 2002-2005 CR-V, 2003-2004 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003-2005 Acura MDX and the 2005 Acura RL. The same repair required in the prior safety improvement campaign, replacement of the passenger front airbag inflator, free of charge, will apply to vehicles now included in this recall. Vehicles that received a replacement passenger airbag inflator under the prior safety improvement campaign will not be included in this recall.

In certain vehicles that were originally sold or ever registered in geographic locations that consistently experience high absolute humidity, specifically, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam, and American Samoa, the passenger's front airbag inflator could exhibit a symptom of producing excessive internal pressure. If an affected airbag deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture. In the event of an inflator rupture, metal fragments could be propelled upward toward the windshield, or downward toward the front passenger's foot well, potentially causing injury to a vehicle occupant. The cause of the potential inflator rupture and the apparent link to a high absolute humidity continue to be under investigation.

In addition to the vehicles transitioned from Safety Improvement Campaign 14V-353, vehicles that were the subject of, but not yet repaired under, the previously announced passenger front airbag inflator recalls 13V-132 and 14V-349 and that were sold or ever registered in the listed geographic locations also will be transitioned into the recall announced today. This transition is being undertaken to streamline the handling of all affected vehicles, each of which require replacement of the passenger front airbag inflator.

Honda is not aware of any claimed injuries or fatalities that have been confirmed in the identified population related to this recall.

Honda is announcing these market actions to encourage owners to take their vehicles to an authorized Honda or Acura dealer as soon as they receive notification from Honda or Acura. Mailed notification to customers will begin in early-Dec. 2014. Additionally, at that time, concerned owners of these models will be able to access more information at www.recalls.honda.com and www.recalls.acura.com or by calling (800) 999-1009 for Honda owners or (800) 382-2238 for Acura owners, and selecting option 4.

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