Honda Motor Co has announced a recall of 750,000 vehicles in the United States due to a defect involving air bags that could unexpectedly deploy during a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed on Tuesday that the front passenger seat weight sensor may crack and experience a short circuit, leading to the air bag failing to suppress as intended. To rectify this issue, Honda dealers will replace the seat weight sensors.
The recall affects certain Honda Pilot, Accord, and Civic vehicles from the 2020-2022 model years, as well as some Honda CR-V and Passport vehicles from the 2020 and 2021 model years. While no injuries or deaths related to the recall have been reported since June 2020, Honda disclosed that there have been 3,834 warranty claims connected to this issue.
In an effort to provide insight into the potential origin of the defect, Honda informed the NHTSA that a temporary change in the base material of the printed circuit board of the seat weight sensor was made by a supplier after a natural disaster impacted a subcontractor's manufacturing plant. The alteration introduced an alternative material that may subject the printed circuit board to additional strain, leading to the crack and short circuit.
This recall by Honda comes on the heels of similar actions taken by other automakers. In December, Toyota Motor recalled 1.12 million vehicles worldwide after discovering that a short circuit in a sensor could prevent air bags from deploying correctly. Additionally, Honda itself recalled 4.5 million vehicles worldwide in December due to the risk of fuel pump failure, including 2.54 million vehicles in the United States.
Honda has stated that it will begin notifying affected vehicle owners in mid-April. Customers are advised to bring their vehicles to authorized dealerships, where the seat weight sensors will be replaced at no cost. To ensure the safety of both drivers and passengers, it is essential for individuals with the affected Honda models to take prompt action and address this air bag defect.