@ACURA

Service Bulletin

15-033

September 16, 2015

02024 Version 3

Safety Recall: Driver's Airbag lnflator Can Be Over-Pressurized
Supersedes 15-033, dated June 9, 2015, to revise the information highlighted in yellow
Replaces 14-029, Recall: Driver's Airbag lnflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After Long-Term Exposure to
High Absolute Humidity
Replaces 10-026, Safety Recall: Replacement Driver's Airbag lnflator Can Be Over-Pressurized
Replaces 09-033, Safety Recall: Driver's Airbag lnflator Can Be Over-Pressurized
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Year
Model
2003
3.2CL
2003-06
MDX
2002-03
3.2TL

Trim
ALL
ALL
ALL

VIN Range
Check the iN VIN status for eligibility
Check the iN VIN status for eligibility
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

American Honda consolidated the previous airbag inflator campaigns into this current bulletin based on decisions made
by NHTSA. Do an iN VIN status inquiry and, if indicated, repair the vehicle even though the vehicle may have been
repaired under a previous campaign.
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.
New and different inflators are available. You may receive a different part number than ordered, and the inflator may
appear different. 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.
NOTE: If the VIN status inquiry indicates that the vehicle is subject to any open safety recalls, including a front
passenger's airbag inflator campaign/recall, make sure to also complete those recall repairs before returning
the vehicle to the customer. If you are unable to complete any open recall, advise the customer of the recall
status and when the recall could be completed.

On June 18, 2015, there was a change in the return process for driver and front passenger inflators. Refer to
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 10

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
Replace the driver's airbag inflator, then return the original, undeployed inflator as directed.
PARTS INFORMATION
NOTE: Always use new Torx bolts to reinstall the airbags. The new Torx bolts are coated with threadlock to make sure
they do not come loose.
Part Name
2003 3.2CL Driver's Airbag lnflator Kit

Order Part
Number

You may receive any
of the following

Quantity

04 770-SSA-305

04 770-SSA-305

1

04 770-SSA-405
2003-06 MDX Driver's Airbag lnflator Kit

04 770-S9A-306

04 770-S9A-306

1

04 770-S9A-405
04 770-S9A-409
2002-03 3.2TL Driver's Airbag lnflator Kit

04 770-SSA-305

04 770-SSA-305

1

04 77 0-SSA-405
NOTE:
•
•
•

The inflator kit box must be used to return the recalled inflator to its supplier, ideally within 48 hours of the repair. 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.
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 10

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

NOTE:
•
To avoid a warranty claim being charged back to your dealership, the defective, undeployed inflator must be
returned to its supplier. Follow the shipping instructions in PIB B15-0006, lnflator Kit Return Process.
•
The replacement inflator part number and serial number are printed on the label that should be attached to the
RO.
•
•

•
•
•

To avoid non-payment of warranty claims, the new airbag inflator part number and serial number must be included
in each claim. For more information, refer to step 6 of REPAIR PROCEDURE.
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 driver's airbag inflator
Year/Model

Operation
Number

Replacement
Part Number

Flat
Rate
Time

Defect
Code

Symptom
Code

Failed Part Number

2003 3.2CL

7521J1

04 770-S5A-305

0.5 hr

5VZ00

JR600

06770-SY8-A90ZA

7521J1

04 770-S5A-405

0.5 hr

5VZ00

JR600

06770-SY8-A90ZA

7521J1

04 770-S9A-306

0.5 hr

5VZ00

JR700

06770-S3V-A20ZB

7521J1

04 770-S9A-405

0.5 hr

5VZ00

JR700

06770-S3V-A20ZB

7521J1

04 770-S9A-409

0.5 hr

5VZ00

JR700

06770-S3V-A20ZB

7521J1

04 770-S5A-305

0.5 hr

5VZ00

JR800

06770-S0K-A90ZA

7521J1

04 770-S5A-405

0.5 hr

5VZ00

JR800

06770-S0K-A90ZA

2003-06 MDX

2002-03
3.2TL

Page 3 of 10

REPAIR PROCEDURE

NOTE:
•
If the VIN status inquiry indicates that the vehicle is subject to any open safety recalls, including a
passenger's airbag inflator campaign/recall, make sure to also complete those recall repairs before
returning the vehicle to the customer. If you are unable to complete any open recall, advise the customer of
the recall status and when the recall could be completed.
• 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 driver's airbag. Refer to the applicable electronic service manual.

4.

Place the airbag, face down, on a clean shop towel.

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

Page 4 of 10

6.

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 R.O. 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 R.O. The part number always starts with 047.
INFLA TOR PARTS BOX
PART NUMBER

L. 3f!"!"6_ _ _ _ _ _..._
--e4~7a~s-sex-~
l\l\l\11ID

U 11111111111

2477l8Sei746te

--;"

SERIAL NUMBER

RETAINER
PLATE
SELF-ADHESIVE
LABEL

7.

INFLATOR

INSTALLATION
PARTS

(if applicable)

If there is no horn plate installed, go to step 8. If there is a horn plate installed, remove the four horn plate mounting
bolts, the mounting bolt felt washers, the horn plate, and remove the felt tape covering the lower two inflator
locknuts. The felt washers and felt tape will not be reused.

FELT TAPE
Do not reuse.

'--------

Page 5 of 10

8.

Using needle-nose vise grips or a 3/8 in. 6-point socket, remove the four locknuts from the inflator. The locknuts will
not be reused.
NOTE: Do not remove the inflator from the airbag until you complete step 9.
LOCKNUTS (4)

Do not reuse.~~---~~~
~
INFLATOR

\

~

~:~re,--------~~
0

AIRBAG

9.

Use shop air to clean any debris that may be on the inflator, then remove the inflator from the airbag.
NOTE:
Do not allow any debris to enter the inflator opening in the airbag.
•
Do not deploy the inflator. The inflator must be returned to its supplier in the box the new inflator came in.
•
Follow the shipping instructions supplied with the inflator kit. If you have any questions about shipping, call
Warranty Parts Inspection (WPI) at 937-642-2737.

10. Turn over the airbag (inflator side down), and shake it to remove any debris from the inflator opening.

Page 6 of 10

11. Install the new inflator in the airbag.
NOTE: There may be some minor surface rust or corrosion on the new inflator; this is OK.
Click on the image below for a short video about the different inflators.

Check your part number against the ones listed for each installation procedure. Use the correct installation
procedure for the part you received.
Part Number
04 770-SSA-305
Refer to Driver's lnflator Type 1 in the video.
04 770-S9A-306
•
Insert the inflator into the opening.
NOTE: Make sure the inflator wires are positioned toward the bottom of the airbag. If you install the inflator
incorrectly, you may not be able to reconnect the SRS airbag harness.

Page 7 of 10

Check your part number against the ones listed for each installation procedure. Use the correct installation
procedure for the part you received.
Part Number
04 770-SSA-405
Refer to Driver's lnflator Type 2 in the video.
04770-S9A-405

•
Insert the airbag inflator into the opening. Do not force it into the airbag module.
NOTE: Make sure the inflator wires are positioned toward the bottom of the airbag. If you install the inflator
incorrectly, you may not be able to reconnect the SRS airbag harness.

----------------

•

Using a pair of pliers, gently pull up on each stud up while pushing the inflator module down until the airbag is
properly seated within the airbag module.

PROPERLY
SEATED

Page 8 of 10

Check your part number against the ones listed for each installation procedure. Use the correct installation
procedure for the part you received.
Part Number
04770-S9A-409
Refer to Driver's lnflator Type 4 in the video.
The inflater is held down
by a directional retainer
that is keyed to the inflater.

•

Place the inflator into the opening with the inflator harness toward the bottom of the airbag.
Line up these three tabs
with the notches in the inflater.

The inflater fits
easily into the
airbag assembly.

•
Install the bracket onto the studs with the stamp LOWER at the bottom of the airbag.
•
Make sure the three tabs and notches are properly aligned.
NOTE:
•

The tabs and notches are designed to align in one direction only. If the tabs and notches are not aligned,
the inflator and bracket are not installed correctly.

•

Make sure the harness comes out through the center opening. Do not install the bracket over the harness
wires.

Page 9 of 10

12. Install and torque the new locknuts to 3.9 N·m (2.8 lb-ft, 34 lb-in).
13. Cover the lower two inflator locknuts with new felt tape.
14. Reinstall the horn plate with new felt washers on its mounting bolts. Torque the mounting bolts to 3.4 N·m (2.5 lb-ft,
30 lb-in), then make sure the horn plate moves freely.
15. Reinstall the driver's airbag using new Torx bolts and torque the bolts to 9.8 N·m (7.2 lb-ft). Refer to the applicable
electronic service manual.
16. Reconnect the negative battery cable.
17. Start the vehicle and check that the SRS indicator comes on for about 6 seconds, then turns off.
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

Page 10 of 10