@ACURA

Service Bulletin

September 16, 2015

14-023
51807-01909 Version 6

Safety Recall: Front Passenger's Airbag lnflator Can Be
Over-Pressurized
Supersedes 14-023, dated July 1, 2015, to revise the information highlighted in yellow
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Year
2003

Model
MDX

Trim
ALL

VIN Range
Check the iN VIN status for eligibility

REVISION SUMMARY
There are new processes for handling airbag inflators. Refer to Ordering and Managing Replacement lnflators for
more information on ordering and handling airbag inflators at your dealership. You can find the instructions in two
places:
• On SIS, select Search By Vehicle, then Technical Library. Enter keyword INFLATOR and select Job Aids.
Select Ordering and Managing Replacement lnflators from the list.
• From the iN, select Service, Warranty, then Claims Reference Guide. Under HOT TIPS/TOPICS, select Ordering
and Managing Replacement lnflators.
BACKGROUND
A manufacturing error can produce over-pressurization of the passenger's (front) airbag inflator during airbag
deployment. If an affected airbag deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator casing to rupture.
Metal fragments could be propelled upward toward the windshield, or downward toward the front passenger's foot well,
possibly causing an injury to vehicle occupants.
NOTE: If the VIN status inquiry indicates that the vehicle is subject to any open safety recalls, including the
driver's airbag inflator, make sure to also complete those recall repairs before returning the vehicle to the
client. If you are unable to complete any open recall, advise the client of the recall status and when the recall
could be completed.
Vehicles sold and/or registered in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas,
Puerto Rico, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands were superseded to Service Bulletin
14-044, Safety Recall: Front Passenger's Airbag lnflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure
To High Absolute Humidity.
New and different inflators are available. You may receive a different part number than ordered, and the inflator may
physically look different from previous replacement parts. As a result, there may be different installation instructions.
Make sure you review this service bulletin for installation instructions and details about model applicability. PARTS
INFORMATION and REPAIR PROCEDURE were updated to reflect these new parts.
On June 18, 2015, there was a change in the return process for driver and front passenger inflators. Refer to the PIB
B15-0006, lnflator Kit Return Process for more information.

CLIENT INFORMATION: The information in this bulletin is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment, and
training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures should not be attempted by "do-it-yourselfers," and you should not assume
this bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information applies, contact an
authorized Acura automobile dealer.

© 2015 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. - All Rights Reserved

Page 1 of 17

CLIENT NOTIFICATION

Owners of affected vehicles will receive a notification of this campaign.
Do an iN VIN status inquiry to make sure the vehicle is shown as eligible.
Some vehicles affected by this campaign may be in your used vehicle inventory. These vehicles must be repaired
before they are sold.
Should your dealership sell an unrepaired vehicle that subsequently causes injury or damage because of the recalled
item, the dealership will be solely responsible to the damaged party, and will be required to defend and indemnify
American Honda for any resulting claims. To see if a vehicle in inventory is affected by this recall, do a VIN status
inquiry before selling it.
CORRECTIVE ACTION

Install a passenger's airbag inflator kit, then return the original undeployed inflator as directed.
PARTS INFORMATION
Part Name

Part Number

You may receive
any of the following

Quantity

2003 MDX Front Passenger's Airbag lnflator
Kit

04 785-S3V-306

04 785-S3V-306
04 790-S3V-305

1

NOTE:
• The inflator kit box must be used to return the old inflator to its supplier. Be careful not to damage the inflator kit
box.
If the recalled, undeployed inflator is not returned, the warranty claim for that vehicle will be charged back to your
•
dealership.
• To return the undeployed inflators, follow the shipping instructions outlined in PIB B15-0006.
•
Parts staff can scan the part number and serial number from the outside of the box into the warranty claim by using
the Controlled Part Serial No. screen and scanning the applicable information. Refer to the Job Aid Ordering and
Managing Replacement lnflators for more information.

Page 2 of 17

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
NOTE:
•
Process claims as quickly as possible so that resources can be properly allocated.
•
Enter the part number of the inflator that you received into the warranty claim, not the part number that you ordered.
For more information, refer to step 6 of REPAIR PROCEDURE.
•

To avoid non-payment of warranty claims, the serial number of the new airbag inflator must be entered in the
warranty claim. For more information, refer to step 6 of REPAIR PROCEDURE.

•

To avoid a warranty claim being charged back to your dealership, you must return the original undeployed inflator to
its supplier. Follow the shipping instructions outlined in PIB B15-0006, lnflator Kit Return Process.
The serial number is encoded into the bar code printed on the label inside of the box and on a label attached to the
outside of the box. If your dealership uses a scanner, you can scan the serial number from either place into the
claim.
The part number is encoded into a barcode attached to the outside of the box. If your dealership uses a scanner,
you can scan the part number into the claim.

•

•
•
•

If you confuse the serial number and part number when entering the claim information, your claim will automatically
be rejected.
For more information about scanning and filing airbag inflator recall claims, refer to Ordering and Managing
Replacement lnflators. From the iN, select Service, Warranty, then Claims Reference Guide. Under HOT
TIPS/TOPICS, select Ordering and Managing Replacement lnflators.

Replacing the front passenger's airbag inflator
Year/Model

Operation
Number

Replacement
Part number

Flat
Rate
Time

Defect
Code

Symptom
Code

Template
ID

Failed Part Number

2003 MDX

7541A9

04 785-S3V-306

0.7 hr

SJK00

JK200

14-023N

06780-S3V-A 1OZA

7541A9

04 790-S3V-305

0.7 hr

SJK00

JK200

14-023P

06780-S3V-A 1OZA

Skill Level:

Repair Technician

Page 3 of 17

REPAIR PROCEDURE

NOTE:
•
If the VIN status inquiry indicates that the vehicle is subject to any open safety recalls, including the
driver's airbag inflator, make sure to also complete those recall repairs before returning the vehicle to the
client. If you are unable to complete any open recall, advise the client of the recall status and when the
recall could be completed.
• Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the audio and navigation system (if applicable), then write down the
frequencies for the radio's preset buttons.
• Be careful not to damage any parts when replacing the inflator, and follow the procedure exactly.
•
If, before removing the airbag, you suspect that it may be the incorrect airbag for the vehicle or a counterfeit, do not
remove the airbag. Contact your DPSM for assistance.
• Make sure you have reviewed the SRS Precautions and Procedures in the applicable electronic service manual
before doing the REPAIR PROCEDURE.
1.

Turn the ignition switch to the ON (II) position and check if the SRS indicator comes on for about 6 seconds, then
turns off.
•
•

If the indicator comes on, then turns off after about 6 seconds, go to step 2.
If the indicator does not come on, or if it stays on, contact your DPSM for assistance

2.

Disconnect the battery negative cable and wait at least 3 minutes before continuing.

3.

Remove the front passenger's airbag by referring to the applicable electronic service manual.

4.

Place the airbag face-down on a clean shop towel as shown.
NOTE:
• The orientation of the airbag is critical because if the inflator is installed incorrectly, the harness will be too short
when you reinstall the airbag.
• The brackets between the various models are similar but may differ from the example shown.

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5.

Visually inspect the airbag and the inflator for any unusual writing or markings.
•
•

If there is nothing unusual about the airbag or the inflator, go to step 6.
If there are any unusual markings, like an incorrect label or a model year written in marker, the airbag and
inflator may not be the correct airbag and/or inflator for the vehicle or it may be a counterfeit part. For more
information about counterfeit airbags, you can refer to safercar.gov, enter keywords MANAGING
COUNTERFEIT, and select Recommended Dealer Guidance for Managing Counterfeit Air Bags from the
list. If you suspect that the airbag or inflator is counterfeit, do not continue this procedure. Contact your
DPSM for assistance.
NON-STANDARD SAFETY LABEL

GREASE PENCIL OR PAINT MARKINGS

........~

HAND ENGRAVING

NO LABELS ON INFLATOR

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1.

Peel the label located inside the inflator box from its backing and attach it to the RO. For the warranty claim to be
paid, the replacement inflator part number that you received must be included in the warranty claim.
NOTE:
• The replacement part number is printed on the top part of the label and the serial number is printed on the
bottom. Make sure you attach the label to the RO and give it to the warranty clerk.
• There may also be a colored sticker located in the kit, ignore it because it is not used.
•
Not all inflator kits have a label included. In those cases, write the serial number and part number from the side
of the inflator box on the RO. The part number always starts with 04 7.
PASSENGER INFLATOR PARTS BOX

SELF-ADHESIVE
LABEL

2.

INSTALLATION
PARTS

INFLATOR

Remove the harness from both ends of the inflator bracket.

~ -

Disconnect and remove the
harness clip if applicable .

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3.

Short the red wires.
NOTE: You must cut and short the wires as indicated to prevent accidental deployment.
•
Cut the red wires as shown.

Cut

•

Tape the twisted ends with electrical tape.

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4.

Cut off the connector and short the yellow wires.
You must cut and short the wires as indicated to prevent accidental deployment.
•
Cut all four wires to remove the connector.

•

Cut about 2 inches of the corrugated tube, then pull out the yellow wires.

Twist the ends together.

•
5.

Tape the twisted ends with electrical tape.

Remove the four inflator nuts.
INFLATOR NUTS

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6.

Remove the inflator bracket.
NOTE: You can only remove one of the brackets, as the other is welded to the airbag housing.

7.

Remove the inflator by pushing it out.

INFLATOR

Do not reuse.

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8.

Install the new inflator.
Click on the image below for a short video about the different variations of the driver's and front passenger's
replacement inflators involved with the recalls related to inflators. While both the driver's and front passengers
inflators are shown in the video, this is informational only. Replace inflators only as directed by the iN VIN status
inquiry.

Check your part number against the ones listed for each installation procedure. Use the correct installation
procedure for the part you received.
Part Number
04 785-S3V-306
•

One connector looks like a "D" whereas the other connector is a circle. Make sure you insert the "D" connector
into the airbag first.
NOTE: There is a yellow band marking on the circle side.
D-SHAPED TERMINAL

A white sticker covers the terminal.

Page 10 of 17

•

Slide the inflator in until the "D" aligns with the tab on the inflator bracket. There should be no space or gap between
the inflator and bracket.

Page 11 of 17

Check your part number against the ones listed for each installation procedure. Use the correct installation
procedure for the part you received.
Part Number
04 790-S3V-305
•
The collars on this inflator are orange, not white. One side of the inflator has a longer collar, a tab, a plastic
cutout, and a small flat spot on the connector. The other side of the inflator has a shorter collar, no tab, and a
red dot. Make sure you insert the end with the longer collar into the airbag first.

NEW INFLATOR
LONG COLLAR
/ - ---------....,---

~

RED DOT

Page 12 of 17

•

Slide the inflator in until the plastic cutout and the small flat spot align with the tab on the bracket. There should
be no space or gap between the inflator and bracket.

FIXED BRACKET END

No gap

CUTOUT

TAB ON FIXED BRACKET

Page 13 of 17

•

Install the bracket included in the kit onto the airbag module. There should be a red dot visible on the end of the
plastic connector. There should be no space or gap between the inflator and bracket.
ADJUSTABLE
BRACKET END

No gap

Page 14 of 17

9.

Install the new 5 mm locknuts and torque them in sequence to 3.9 N•m (34 lb-in).
Be sure there are no gaps between
the inflator ends and the inflator brackets.

10. Remove the stickers covering the terminals on both sides of the new inflator.

STICKER
COVERING
TERMINAL

Page 15 of 17

11. Install the new inflator harness.
•

Make sure the airbag and harness are aligned as shown.
NOTE: Make sure you have the orientation correct as shown below. If you connect the harness incorrectly,
the harness cannot be removed and you will not be able to reinstall the airbag because the harness will be too
short.

RED WIRE
CONNECTOR

•

Connect the two connectors. Align the "T" shape in the inflator harness connector with the T-shaped
inflator connector, then press the connector into place.
(";\ Match up the "T" shape as shown .
~ The connectors are directional.

INFLATOR
HARNESS
CONNECTOR

®

Press the connector
into place until it clicks.

f?\ Wiggle the connector to

'-V make sure it's secure.

I

•

After you hear each connector click, wiggle it to make sure it is secure .
NOTE: If the connector is not properly aligned, it will come out.

Page 16 of 17

12. Connect the harness to the inflator brackets.
•

Insert the side without the shrink-wrap tubing first. Insert the harness at the third "valley" in the corrugated tube.

•

Insert the side of the harness with the shrink-wrap tubing into the inflator bracket. Make sure the harness is
securely inserted and that it does not sag.

13. Reinstall the passenger's airbag into the vehicle and torque the new locknuts to 9.8 N•m (7 .2 lb-ft).
14. Reconnect the battery negative cable and enter the anti-theft code for the audio and navigation system
(if applicable), then enter the audio unit presets.
15. Turn the ignition to the ON (II) position and make sure the SRS indicator comes on for about 6 seconds, then turns
off.
16. Put the original inflator into the box the new one came in. Make sure there is no other hardware in the box because
if the package rattles, it will not be accepted by the courier.
17. Follow the shipping instructions outlined in PIB B15-0006 to return the undeployed inflator.
18. Give your warranty clerk the RO that includes the replacement inflator serial number and replacement part number.
For the warranty claim to be paid, the replacement inflator part number must be included in the warranty claim.
END

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