In a significant recall announcement, Honda is recalling 750,000 vehicles, including both Acura and Honda models from the 2020 to 2022 model years, due to potential issues with the airbag system. The concern revolves around a defective seat sensor that could trigger the deployment of airbags, even when a child is seated in the front passenger seat.
The intricate safety system in modern vehicles relies heavily on sensors to make crucial decisions regarding airbag deployment during accidents. However, a manufacturing defect in the seat sensor circuit boards poses a significant risk. This defect can lead to airbags deploying incorrectly, endangering occupants, particularly small children who should not be exposed to airbag deployment in certain circumstances.
Honda attributes the root cause of the issue to a natural disaster affecting the supplier responsible for producing the printed circuit boards used in the seat sensors. Subsequently, the supplier turned to an alternative company to manufacture the base material for these crucial components. Unfortunately, the new material failed to meet the necessary standards, leading to additional strain on the circuit boards. This strain could result in the capacitor cracking, leading to internal short circuits and the potential for unintended airbag deployment.
Thankfully, Honda has identified potential warning signs that may alert customers to the presence of this problem. These include the illumination of the SRS warning light and the passenger airbag indicator failing to turn on when required. Despite Honda receiving 3,834 warranty claims related to this issue, no injuries or fatalities have been reported thus far.
The recall encompasses a total of 16 different models spanning the 2020 to 2022 model years, affecting both Honda and Acura vehicles. Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by Honda starting on March 18 and instructed to visit an authorized dealership for repairs. Technicians will replace the defective seat weight sensor with a new component built with the original, verified material, ensuring the safety and peace of mind of Honda and Acura customers.