The Recall Desk
Our severity:CriticalNHTSA·17V029000·Announced 2017-01-10

Honda and Acura Recall Vehicles for Front Passenger Air Bag Inflator Defect

Honda is recalling specific Acura and Honda models because front passenger air bag inflators may rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious injury or death.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 5/5 (Critical).

Highest-severity recall. The hazard can cause serious injury or death. Stop using the product now and follow the agency's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The source text explicitly states that an inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. Per the rubric, NHTSA recalls involving potential death or serious injury are classified as Critical (Score 5).

Plain-English summary

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2005-2012 Acura and Honda vehicles, including the Acura MDX, RL, Honda CR-V, Element, Ridgeline, Pilot, and Fit. The recall applies to vehicles originally sold or registered in specific geographic zones designated as Zone A, Zone B, or a third group of states. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original or replacement equipment.

The defect involves propellant degradation in the inflators caused by long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking vehicle occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator free of charge. The recall began in March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236. Honda's recall numbers for this action are KD9 and KE0.

The recalled product

Product
ACURA, HONDA RL, ELEMENT, RIDGELINE, MDX
Brand
ACURA
Manufacturer
Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Category
Vehicle — Air Bag Inflator
Hazard
Affected units
308,884

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (7)

  • RL
  • ELEMENT
  • RIDGELINE
  • MDX
  • CR-V
  • PILOT
  • FIT

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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