‘Do Not Drive’ Warning Issued for over 8,000 Honda Vehicles
Honda Motor Company is urgently warning thousands of Honda and Acura owners in the United States to not drive their vehicles due to unrepaired Takata Alpha driver-side airbag inflators. In a statement released on Friday, February 3, 2023, Honda asks about 8,200 drivers to park their cars until the life-saving recall work has been completed.
The Affected Honda and Acura Vehicles
The warning covers select 2001-2003 model year Honda and Acura vehicles still equipped with defective Takata airbags. The airbags were recalled between 2008 and 2011 but were not replaced in about 8,200 vehicles. The affected vehicles include the following:
- 2001-2002 Honda Accord
- 2001-2002 Honda Civic
- 2002 Honda CR-V
- 2002 Honda Odyssey
- 2002 Honda Pilot
- 2002-2003 Acura 3.2CL
- 2003 Acura 3.2 TL
Honda said it has tried to reach the owners of the remaining affected vehicles for years, including phone calls, emails, mailed notifications, and door-to-door. The Japanese automaker said it’s concerned for the safety of those who have not responded, and the “Do Not “Drive” message was necessary to prompt them to act.
A Dire Situation for Honda and Acura Drivers
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said the affected vehicles are over 20 years old now, and the airbag risk to drivers is dire. The Takata airbags were initially recalled due to a propellant that could break down after lengthy humidity and high-temperature exposure. Since Takata airbags are the oldest and largest under recall, they have a 50 percent chance of exploding, even in minor collisions. If the airbags rupture, they can send out sharp metal fragments toward the vehicle occupants killing them or leaving them with serious life-altering injuries.
The agency is urging owners of the affected Acura and Honda vehicles to check if their car has an open Takata airbag recall and contact their local dealership to schedule a replacement immediately. The repair is free, and Honda will provide a complimentary towing and loaner vehicle if needed. You can go to NHTSA’s website to check your vehicle for recalls.
Many Were Injured or Died Due to Defective Takata Airbags
Since 2009, over 30 deaths worldwide, including 24 in the U.S., and hundreds of injuries are linked to faulty Takata airbag inflators. Honda said 17 fatalities and over 200 injuries related to defective Takata airbags occurred in their vehicles.
In the largest auto safety recall in history, over 67 million Takata airbag inflators in the United States and over 100 million globally have been recalled in the past decade.
Watch the YouTube video below to learn more about the defective Takata airbag recall and what to do if your vehicle is affected.
Issues with Defective Products
Design or manufacturing defects of consumer products are commonly found. Conscientious manufacturers will find the defects by testing and refining their products before putting them on the market. However, many defects are not discovered until someone is injured or killed from using the products. The corrective action often involves changing the product to something safer. In some cases, manufacturers use a “band-aid” solution to cover up the problem.
How an Injury Attorney Can Help
Airbags are designed to reduce the risks of severe injuries or deaths to vehicle occupants in a traumatic car accident. However, a faulty airbag can create a false sense of security. If you are injured in a crash because of a malfunctioning airbag, you have a right to seek compensation against the auto manufacturer through a product defect claim. It is essential to retain an experienced Sacramento products liability lawyer who will work diligently to determine the cause of the malfunctioning airbag. Your attorney will handle the entire claims process and negotiate with the negligent party’s insurance company to get fair and just compensation for your damages and losses.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury attorney. Auto accidents happen every day on our roads and highways. If you have been involved in a collision in Sacramento or elsewhere in Northern California and suffered severe injuries due to a defective Takata airbag, our legal team can help. Call our experienced injury attorneys at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly case advice. You can also reach out to us online.
Our Sacramento County personal injury law firm has obtained successful Verdicts and Settlements on behalf of our clients since 1982.
Photo by emrecan arık on Unsplash
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