WEB DESK: Honda announced Tuesday that it is recalling 750,000 vehicles in the United States over a defect related to airbags that can deploy unintentionally in a crash.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem stems from a potential crack and short circuit in the front passenger seat weight sensor, causing the airbag to fail to deploy as intended. As a remedy, dealers will replace the seat weight sensors.
The recall affects specific models, including the 2020-2022 Honda Pilot, Accord and Civic.
In addition, certain 2020 and 2021 model year Honda CR-V and Passport vehicles are also included in the recall.
In an official statement submitted to the safety regulator, Honda announced 3,834 warranty claims related to the problem.
However, the company assured that as of June 2020, there have been no reports of injuries or deaths related to the recall issue.
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Honda offered an explanation for the origin of the defect, saying that after a natural disaster struck a subcontractor’s manufacturing plant, there was a temporary change in the base material of the printed circuit board for the seat weight sensor.
The alternative material used, according to Honda, “could allow for additional stress on the printed circuit board.”
The recall follows a similar move by Toyota Motor in December, when it recalled 1.12 million vehicles worldwide due to a short circuit in a sensor that could prevent airbags from inflating as designed.
In the same month, Honda recalled 4.5 million vehicles worldwide, including 2.54 million in the United States, due to the risk of fuel pump failure.
