On May 18, 2015, Takata Corporation (Takata) determined that some model PSPI air bag inflators assembled as part of the frontal passenger air bag module for certain model year 2003 Honda Accord vehicles and certain model year 2001-2005 Honda Civic vehicles, and used as original or replacement equipment during service, may rupture from exposure to persistent conditions of high absolute humidity and/or due to manufacturing variability. On December 15, 2015, Takata filed an expansion to include additional PSPI inflators installed in certain model year 2002-2004 Honda CR-V and model year 2003-2008 Mazda 6 vehicles.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger’s frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Takata will be working with vehicle manufacturers to identify into which vehicles the affected inflators were installed either as original or replacement equipment during service. As this work progresses, numerous vehicle recalls will likely be announced by the impacted vehicle manufacturers. NHTSA will supply this information as soon as possible. NOTE: This recall is being conducted in phases, with the first phase to address vehicles sold or ever registered in the areas of high absolute humidity and that have indicated the highest risk in testing and field experience. These areas include: Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Hawaii, the outlying U.S. territories, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.