Honda Malaysia has released an update regarding its Takata front airbag inflators program. The Japanese carmaker says stock availability for passenger side front airbag inflators will increase to 55% by end of November 2016, a month earlier than expected. Stock is expected to increase to 70% availability by the end of December 2016.
The Takata debacle has afflicted millions of vehicles across the world, and not exclusively to Honda. The defective front airbag inflators may deploy with excessive internal pressure when activated. The casing may rupture and cause injury or fatality to the driver and passenger.
As of 23 November, Honda has replaced more than 62,300 out of the aggregated 125,000 affected passenger front airbag inflators.
To ensure further customer safety and as a precautionary measure, Honda embarked on another replacement effort involving 147,894 units of passenger front airbags, on 23 June 2016. That’s a completion ratio of 50%.
Meanwhile, for driver side front airbag inflators, Honda assures the stock availability is at 100%. It says all Honda Service Central Hubs and Authorised Honda dealers have sufficient stock to undertake replacements.
As of 23 November 2016, Honda has replaced more than 175,000 out of approximate 264,000 affected driver front airbag inflators. This translates to a completion ratio of 66%.
There has been several deaths involving Honda vehicles with affected Takata front airbag inflators in Malaysia. Globally, the number totals more than a dozen deaths and over 100 injuries.
Honda’s recall affects vehicles from year 2003-2011.
Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. continues alerting and informing customers of the importance of replacing the affected vehicle’s airbag inflators, via increased frequency of postings on social media and SMS blast. Owners of Honda vehicles affected by the airbag inflator product recall are advised to immediately get their vehicles checked and parts replaced at any authorized Honda dealers, Service Central Hubs or Mobile Hubs as soon as possible.
Honda Malaysia strongly encourages for customers to replace their affected Takata front airbag inflators, to ensure their safety.
As a move to make it more convenient for customers to replace faulty affected airbags, Honda is extending the current 11 Mobile Hubs at shopping malls to a total of 18 until 25 December 2016. You can check the latest locations at www.honda.com.my or www.productrecall.honda.com.my. Alternatively, you can call the Honda Toll Free number at 1-800-88-2020.
