To say that 2012 was a bad year for Honda would be an understatement, as the major automobile manufacturer announced a variety of major recalls involving some of the world’s most popular vehicle models. Honda was second to only Toyota in the number of recalls in the U.S. in 2012, as defects involving the Civic, Pilot, Odyssey and Accord, among others, anchored what was a rather forgettable year for the Japanese company. Now it seems that 2013 is starting off the same way that 2012 ended, as Honda has announced the recall of approximately 748,000 Pilot crossovers and Odyssey minivans because of a manufacturing defect involving the airbags.
In December, Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall of 807,000 Pilot and Odyssey vehicles due to a manufacturing defect that reportedly created concerns over runaways, as vehicles that were seemingly in park could unexpectedly begin moving. Now, 748,000 Pilot models that were manufactured and sold between 2009 and 2013 and Odyssey models produced and sold between 2011 and 2013 have been recalled because of poorly assembled driver-side airbags.
According to Honda: “Driver’s-side airbags in these vehicles potentially were assembled without some of the rivets that secure the airbag’s plastic cover. If the rivets are missing, the airbag may not deploy properly, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. No crashes or injuries have been reported related to this issue.”
Honda will begin contacting Pilot and Odyssey owners affected by this recall in February; however, concerned consumers can contact the company at (800) 999-1009 in order to schedule free airbag repairs.
Among Honda’s more notable announcements in 2012 was the recall of 820,000 Civic and Pilot models because of a wiring defect in the headlights that created a dangerous fire hazard. The recall was notable because it was actually an extension of a previous recall involving another 672,000 Accord and Acura sedans. Additionally, Honda also announced that it was delaying the recall of another 625,000 Accords and Acuras because it simply didn’t have enough parts to fix them.