— Honda is warning owners of recalled 2001-2003 Acura and Honda vehicles to park the vehicles and stop driving them if the Takata airbags have not been replaced during previous recalls.
Years of warning owners to get the free repairs completed by dealers caused Honda to issue this latest warning to stop driving the vehicles if they have not been repaired.
Included in the warning are these models that need new airbag inflators.
- 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 3.2 CL
However, a customer can verify if their Acura or Honda vehicle is included by using the vehicle identification number (VIN) at www.recalls.acura.com or www.recalls.honda.com.
After at least 17 deaths and more than 200 injuries blamed on exploding airbags in Honda vehicles, the automaker is still trying to convince owners of the older models to complete the free recall repairs.
Owners can arrange free towing and have access to free loaner or rental vehicles.
Known as Takata "Alpha" airbags, Honda says the airbag inflators suffer a 50% failure rate in the older vehicles. The metal inflators explode and become grenades that shoot metal fragments into vehicle occupants.
According to Honda, its "relentless recall efforts" to owners of vehicles equipped with Alpha inflators include:
- 8.9 million mailed notifications to registered owners
- 5.4 million live and automated phone calls
- 2.3 million emails
- 916,000 text and online messages
- 794,000 in-person visits seeking to locate owners
Honda says even after years of Takata recalls, more than 8,200 owners of the older models still have not responded.
Owners of these vehicles should immediately contact a Honda dealer or call the automaker at 888-234-2138.