Honda Issues Recall of 2001 Accord and Civic Models to Fix an Airbag Issue

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Honda is issuing a recall of model year 2001 Accords and Civics to fix an issue with the driver’s side airbag. Apparently the driver’s side airbag in effected vehicles could inflate with so much excessive force that it could rupture the inflator module. If the inflator is ruptured metal shards from the explosion could rip through the airbag, thereby hurting the driver and passengers.

Owners of affected 2001 Accords and Civics will be able to bring their vehicles into their nearest Honda dealer to have the inflator replaced, free of charge.

PRESS RELEASE:

Report Date : July 20, 2009 at 11:10 AM
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V259000

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
HONDA / ACCORD 2001
HONDA / CIVIC 2001

Manufacturer: HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) Mfr’s Report Date: JUN 30, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V259000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE

Potential Number of Units Affected:

Summary:
HONDA IS RECALLING MY 2001 CIVIC AND ACCORD VEHICLES. THE DRIVER’S AIRBAG INFLATOR COULD PRODUCE EXCESSIVE INTERNAL PRESSURE. IF AN AFFECTED AIRBAG DEPLOYS, THE INCREASED INTERNAL PRESSURE MAY CAUSE THE INFLATOR TO RUPTURE.

Consequence:
METAL FRAGMENTS COULD PASS THROUGH THE AIR BAG CUSHION MATERIAL POSSIBLY CAUSING INJURY TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIRBAG INFLATOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.

Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .