Honda 2007-2015 Multi-Model Driver’s Airbag Inflator Recall
Dealer Q&A – Updated 02.19.16
Stop Sale/Safety Recall: Honda 2007-2015 Multi-Model Driver’s Airbag Inflator
Dealer Q&A – Updated 02.19.16

GENERAL

What is the cause of the stop
sale/safety recall?

In certain vehicles, the driver’s (front) airbag inflator could
produce excessive internal pressure during airbag
deployment. If an affected airbag deploys, the increased
internal pressure may cause the inflator casing to rupture.
Metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion
material, possibly causing injury or fatality to vehicle
occupants. At this time, we’re working to identify the root
cause, but we do know that exposure to high temperatures
and high humidity seems to be a contributing factor.

Have there been any ruptures of this
type of inflator in the market in
Honda or Acura vehicles?

Honda has not received any reports of Takata PSDI-5 inflator
ruptures in the market in Honda or Acura vehicles worldwide.

Which models are affected by the
stop sale/safety recall?

When will a list of affected VINs be
available?

The recall includes specific VINs from these Honda models:
• 2007-2011 Honda CR-V
• 2007-2014 Honda Ridgeline
• 2009-2014 Honda Fit
• 2010-2014 Honda FCX Clarity
• 2010-2014 Honda Insight
• 2011-2015 Honda CR-Z
Check VIN status to see if a specific VIN is included in the
recall.
As of February 15, 2016, affected VINs have been determined
and vehicle eligibility can be confirmed through VIN status
inquiry. Any unsold vehicle shown to be eligible for service
bulletin 16-016 will need to remain on stop sale until the
vehicle is repaired. Vehicles that no longer show as eligible
for the bulletin can be sold without further action, assuming
no other open recalls apply. Customer-facing sites
(www.recalls.honda.com, safercar.gov) have also been
updated with the list of eligible VINs, which may drive
inquires about eligibility or repair. At this time, replacement
parts to repair the recall condition are not available.

With all the airbag-related recalls
announced lately, why are Honda
and Acura seemingly the only brands
with a Stop Sale?

The stop sale on new vehicles is federally mandated.
American Honda issued the stop sale on used vehicles in
alignment with our company policies and in the interest of
customer safety, which is our top priority.

Why did American Honda call for a

The stop sale on new vehicles is federally mandated.
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Honda 2007-2015 Multi-Model Driver’s Airbag Inflator Recall
Dealer Q&A – Updated 02.19.16
Stop Sale when there have been no
injuries or deaths related to this new
recall and other automakers have
not issued a Stop Sale?

American Honda issued the stop sale on used vehicles in
alignment with our company policies and in the interest of
customer safety, which is our top priority.

Since there have been no ruptures of
this type of airbag inflator in Honda
or Acura vehicles, should a dealer or
customer not be worried about the
issue?

Everyone affected by this recall should take the risk of airbag
inflator rupture seriously. Honda has determined that the
Takata airbag inflators included in this recall contain a safety
related defect.

What is the repair?

Replace the driver’s airbag inflator with a different inflator
type.

Are replacement parts available?

The necessary replacement parts are currently not available.
American Honda expects to receive the first small shipment
of parts by the end of April, but this shipment will not include
every part number required by the recall. We anticipate that
recall repairs will begin this summer.

Why will there be such a long delay
for replacement parts?

Honda plans to replace all of these recalled inflators with new
parts from an alternative supplier, free of charge. It will take
some time to conduct the engineering and testing of
replacement inflators in order to ensure that they will fit in
the existing airbag modules originally installed in these
vehicles and perform to specification. Additionally, due to the
large number of vehicles involved, some of the delay will be
caused by efforts to ramp up production for this purpose.

Since you have a supply of
replacement inflators already, why
can’t the existing replacement
inflators be used for the PSDI-5?

The driver front inflator designs and specifications are
different between vehicles included in the latest recall and
the earlier recalls.

Do the replacement inflators contain
ammonium nitrate?

For the driver front airbag inflator recall announced in
February 2016, Autoliv will supply the replacement inflators.
None of those replacement inflators will contain an
ammonium nitrate propellant.
For the Takata airbag inflator recalls announced before
February 2016:
The replacement airbag inflators being supplied by Takata do
contain ammonium nitrate in their propellant formulas.
The replacement inflators being supplied by Autoliv, Daicel
and TRW do not contain ammonium nitrate.

What actions should dealers take?

1. Ensure that every dealership associate is aware of this
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Honda 2007-2015 Multi-Model Driver’s Airbag Inflator Recall
Dealer Q&A – Updated 02.19.16

2.
3.
4.

5.

situation and that customer-facing associates provide
transparent information to customers.
Refer to your eResponsibility report and VIN inquiry to
determine which units in your inventory are affected by
this safety recall.
Run a VIN status check on all vehicles brought into your
Service department to determine if they are affected by
any recall.
For affected vehicles, replace the driver’s airbag inflator
with a different inflator type. Any new or used units in
dealer stock must be repaired per service bulletin 16-016,
Safety Recall: Takata Driver’s Airbag Inflator once the parts
and repair information is available.
Offer concerned customers of affected vehicles a loaner or
rental vehicle until a replacement part is available and
their vehicle is repaired.

CUSTOMER COMMUNICATIONS

When will customers be notified of
this recall?

Initial notifications will be mailed to customers beginning
mid-March with a completion date by March 29, 2016.
American Honda is also communicating to customers in the
following ways:
• February 3 – Press release was issued to the media
• February 4 – Alert was posted on the Honda Owners site
• February 15 – VIN search became available at
recalls.honda.com and recalls.acura.com

What will be communicated to
customers in the mailing?

Customers will initially be advised that their vehicle is
affected by a safety recall and that parts will be made
available beginning in summer. Once sufficient parts are
available, customers will be notified by mail again to visit
their dealer for inflator replacement, with priority on older
models and regions affected by high absolute humidity.

What should dealers tell customers
whose vehicles show as included in
the recall in VIN Status Inquiry?

If the vehicle shows as affected in VIN Status Inquiry, please
let the customer know the following:
• Your vehicle is part of an open recall requiring a
replacement of the driver’s airbag inflator.
• You will receive an initial notification in the mail in March.
• There are currently no replacement parts available for this
recall. Replacement parts are expected to begin arriving at
dealers this summer, but it will take some time before
enough parts will be available to repair every vehicle.
• You will be notified by mail again when parts become
available for your vehicle and you’re encouraged to visit an
official Honda dealer for repair at that time.
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Honda 2007-2015 Multi-Model Driver’s Airbag Inflator Recall
Dealer Q&A – Updated 02.19.16

SALES

Can dealers sell vehicles with
affected VINs to retail customers?

No. All affected vehicles are on stop sale and cannot be sold
until the inflator is repaired with a counter-measured part.

Can dealers wholesale affected
units?

No. Dealers cannot sell any vehicles affected by this recall
until the required repair is completed.

The stop sale of used vehicles under
recall is an American Honda-imposed
policy; it is not federally mandated.
Given this, why couldn’t a dealer sell
a used car under recall?

Although American Honda cannot stop a dealer from selling a
used vehicle under recall, our dealer agreement states that:
“Affected vehicles should not be sold until the inspection and,
if necessary, repair has been completed. Should an
unrepaired vehicle result in any claim because of the required
recall repair, the dealership will be solely responsible to the
claimant, and will be required to defend and indemnify
American Honda for any resulting claims.”

Will Honda provide dealers floorplan
and/or depreciation assistance for
recalled vehicles in dealer inventory?

On February 11, 2016, Honda announced the Honda TradeIn-Assistance Program for dealers:
• Depreciation assistance for current new, used and
Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) affected units in inventory as
well as future used and CPO units.
o Assistance will be effective as of a vehicle’s stop
sale date or dealer acquisition date through the
repair order date.
o Dealers will be reimbursed based on the variance
in Blackbook average value during that period.
• Floorplan assistance for current new, used and CPO
affected units in inventory as well as future used and CPO
units.
o Assistance will be effective as of a vehicle’s stop
sale date or dealer acquisition date through the
repair order date.
o Dealers will be reimbursed at the Prime rate
based on the Blackbook average value.
o Dealers will be reimbursed for Floorplan
insurance based on the Blackbook average value.
• Claiming systems for this program are currently in
development and should be available within the next few
weeks. Thank you for your patience.
• Reimbursements will apply to all affected units as of the
stop sale date.
• Please refer to future bulletins for official program
details.
• Please note that this program ends on July 29, 2016 for
vehicles included in the 2007-2015 Multi-Model Driver’s
Airbag Inflator recall (16-016) and on July 23, 2016 for
vehicles included in the 2008-2010 Accord SRS Unit
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Honda 2007-2015 Multi-Model Driver’s Airbag Inflator Recall
Dealer Q&A – Updated 02.19.16
Replacement safety recall (16-006).
Does the floorplan assistance and
depreciation assistance apply to
recalled vehicles purchased from
other OEM dealers on trade?

Yes. The floorplan and depreciation assistance for Honda
dealers covers all affected vehicles acquired by the Honda
dealer in the normal course of doing business.

Will American Honda compensate
dealers for storage costs resulting
from the stop sale?

American Honda will not reimburse dealers for storage costs;
however we are compensating dealers at Prime for floorplan
assistance, which should help to defer other costs incurred by
the dealer.

Will Honda provide a lease extension
offer for current Honda customers?

On February 11, 2016, Honda announced the Lease
Extension Program/ Honda Promise Program
• Dealer optional 6-month lease extension for
maturities ranging between February 1, 2016 and
June 30, 2016.
• Complimentary 12,000 miles, 12-month, zero
deductible Honda Care® Vehicle Service Contract
Vehicle Service Contract for extended leases.
• $500 Promise Loyalty offer toward Cap Cost
Reduction or Down Payment Assistance for any new
and not previously reported sold Honda vehicle
leased or financed through HFS upon fulfillment of a
6-month lease extension.
• Please refer to future bulletins for official program
details.

Will American Honda compensate
dealers for insurance costs resulting
from the stop sale?

Yes. As part of the Honda Trade-in Assistance Program,
American Honda will reimburse dealers for insurance costs
related to the storage of affected vehicles. We’re reviewing
an appropriate formula and expect to have information for
you in the near future. Thank you for your patience while we
work to determine a reasonable and fair solution.

What should dealers do when
customers want to trade in a vehicle
included in the recall?