Subaru is recalling certain 2012 Legacy and 2012 Outback vehicles for problems with the side curtain airbags. According to the recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) an incorrect propellant mixture for the initiator component could result in an insufficient output of compressed gas. The airbags may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury during an accident. The recall is expected to begin in April. Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Tag Archives: air bag safety problem
Toyota RAV4 Airbags May Not Deploy
Toyota is recalling certain 2011 RAV4 vehicles for airbags that may not deploy properly during an accident. According to the recall filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), propellant with the incorrect specification may have been used in the initiator inflator, causing one or both curtain shield airbags to not deploy. Toyota will be notifying customers and will inspect and replace the curtain shield assemblies as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the recall can contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. The recall is expected to begin in early March 2012.
Honda Replaces Side Curtain Airbags
Honda is recalling certain 2012 Accord and 2012 Crosstour vehicles, because the side curtain airbag inflator may not have been manufactured to the correct specifications. In an accident, the side curtain airbag may fail to inflate, increasing the risk of injury to occupants The safety recall will begin February 10, 2012, where dealers will inspect and replace the driver’s and/or passenger’s side curtain airbag as required. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA Upgrades Jeep Liberty Airbag Investigation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is upgrading an investigation into almost 400,000 2002-2003 Jeep Liberty SUV’s, for complaints of inadvertent airbag deployment. Almost 90 complaints have been received to date, 50 of which alleged injuries including burns, cuts and bruises. Chrysler and the NHTSA are suspecting a voltage spike in the electronic circuit that controls the airbag deployment, and are working with the safety administration for confirmation. There have been no complaints of inadvertent airbag deployment in vehicles manufactured after March 19, 2003.
Airbag Problems in Kia Optima And Rondo
Kia has announced a recall for certain 2006-2008 Optima and 2007-2008 Rondo vehicles, for a problem that could leave the driver unprotected in an accident. Over time, the clock spring contact assembly for the driver’s side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) could become damaged. A high resistance in the assembly could prevent the airbag from deploying properly. Kia will begin notifying customers starting in March, and will replace the vehicle’s air bag clock spring contact assembly, as necessary. Owners wanting more information about the recall can contact the Kia customer assistance center at 1-800-333-4542.
Audi A6 Airbag Flaw
Volkswagen is recalling certain 2012 Audi A6 sedans manufactured between April and May 2011. Because of a problem with the stitching process of the curtain air bag, the air bag may not deploy properly leaving occupants unprotected. Volkswagen will notify owners, starting January, and will replace both the left and right curtain air bags. Owners wanting more information about the recall can contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Honda Airbag Problems Continue
The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) is pushing for a civil penalty against Honda Motor Co. for an airbag defect linked to two deaths and almost twenty injuries. The recall which now involves a total of over 2.7 million vehicles, first started in 2008, and has been expanded several times. According to the report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the airbag could deploy with too much pressure sending metal fragments that could injure occupants in the vehicle. According to the CAS, Honda failed to disclose what they knew about the recall, which resulted injuries that should have been prevented. The vehicles involved in this recall include:
- 2001-2002 Honda Accord
- 2001-2002 Honda Civic
- 2002 Honda Odyssey
- 2002-2003 Honda CR-V
- 2002-2003 Acura TL
- 2003 Acura CL Coupe
- 2003 Honda Pilot
Owners wanting more information about the recall can go to http://owners.honda.com/recalls or call (800) 999-1009; Acura owners can go to http://owners.acura.com/recalls or call (800) 382-2238.
GM Experiences More Airbag Problems
GM has issued a recall for certain 2012 Chevrolet Express and 2012 GMC Savanna vehicles because the airbags may not properly deploy. The recall states that the second stage of the dual stage air bag may not inflate during a severe frontal impact. GM said that they will install a new front passenger air bag free of charge to the customer. Earlier this month GM issued a similar recall for certain Pontiac G8 vehicles, which requires that the airbags to be reprogrammed. Owners wanting more information on the recall can contact GMC at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020.