Service Bulletin
Applies To:

10-026

2003 3.2CL – Check the iN VIN status for eligibility
2002–03 3.2TL – Check the iN VIN status for eligibility

February 6, 2015

Safety Recall: Replacement Driver’s Airbag Inflator Can Be
Over-Pressurized
(Supersedes 10-026, dated September 26, 2014, to revise the information marked by the black bars)
REVISION SUMMARY
The inspection procedure for Takata driver’s airbags
was removed because all Takata driver’s airbag
inflators installed in the recall vehicle population are
being replaced.

CORRECTIVE ACTION
Install a driver’s airbag inflator kit, then return the
defective, 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.
Torx Airbag Bolts: P/N 90134-S04-A81
(Two bolts are required to install an airbag)

BACKGROUND
The inspection procedure for Takata driver’s airbags
was removed because all Takata driver’s airbag
inflators installed in the recall vehicle population are
being replaced.
A manufacturing error can produce over-pressurization
of some replacement driver’s (front) airbag inflators
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 an injury or fatality to vehicle occupants.

Driver’s Airbag Inflator Kit: P/N 04770-S5A-305*
Includes inflator with wire harness, locknuts (4), felt
tape, felt washers (4), Torx bolts (2), and shipping
instructions.
NOTE:

CLIENT NOTIFICATION
All owners of affected vehicles were sent 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 a dealership sell an unrepaired vehicle that
subsequently causes an 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 campaign, do a VIN status inquiry
before selling it.

 2015 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved

• The inflator kit box must be used to return the old
inflator to its supplier, ideally within 48 hours of the
repair. Be careful not to damage the inflator kit box.
• If the defective, undeployed inflator is not returned,
the warranty claim for that vehicle will be charged
back to your dealership.
*The kit contains FedEx Ground shipping documents
and instructions for the airbag inflator. If you are a
dealer in Alaska or Hawaii, call the WPI administrative
office at 937-642-2737 for FedEx Air shipping
documents and instructions; do not use the
documentation included in the airbag inflator kit.

BTB 46169-01470 (1502)

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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.

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
NOTE:
• To avoid non-payment of warranty claims, the serial
number on the box of the new airbag inflator must be
entered in the Diagnostic Trouble Codes field on
each warranty claim. For more information, refer to
step 2 of REPAIR PROCEDURE.
• 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 supplied with the inflator kit. If you have
any questions about shipping, call Warranty Parts
Inspection (WPI) at 937-642-2737.
OP#

7525A6

Description

Replace the driver’s airbag inflator.

Failed Part:
Defect Code:
Symptom Code:
Skill Level:

REPAIR PROCEDURE
NOTE: Be careful not to damage any parts when
replacing the inflator, and follow the procedure exactly.
1. Remove the driver’s airbag by referring to the
applicable electronic service manual.
2. Write down the serial number located on the right
side of the new inflator’s box. For the warranty
claim to be paid, your warranty clerk must enter this
serial number in the Diagnostic Trouble Codes
field on the warranty claim.
INFLATOR BOX

SERIAL NUMBER

FRT

0.5

P/N 06770-S84-A11ZA
5US00
R5500
Repair Technician

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

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10-026

4. 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 5.
•
If there is 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.

5. Remove the four horn plate mounting bolts, the
mounting bolt felt washers, and the horn plate. The
felt washers will not be reused.
HORN PLATE
MOUNTING BOLTS
MOUNTING BOLT
FELT WASHERS

(Discard.)

HORN PLATE
FELT TAPE

(Discard.)

6. Remove and discard the felt tape covering the
lower two inflator locknuts.

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7. 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 8.

12. 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.

LOCKNUTS

13. Reinstall the driver’s airbag using new Torx bolts:
• Refer to the appropriate service manual, or
• Online, enter keywords DRIVER AIR, and select
Driver’s Airbag Replacement from the list.

INFLATOR

14. Center-punch a completion mark below the fifth
character of the engine compartment VIN:

(Discard.)

(Return to
manufacturer.)

19UXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Center-punch here.

AIRBAG

15. Give your warranty clerk the inflator serial number
you wrote down in step 2. For the warranty claim to
be paid, your warranty clerk must enter the
appropriate serial number in the Diagnostic
Trouble Codes field on each warranty claim.

8. 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 in the box the new inflator came in.
9. Turn over the airbag (inflator side down), and shake
it to remove any debris from the inflator opening.
10. Install the new inflator in the airbag with new
locknuts. Torque the locknuts to 3.9 N.m (2.8 lb-ft,
34 lb-in).
NOTE:
• The new inflator is slightly different than the
original inflator, but they are still interchangeable.
• There may be some minor surface rust or
corrosion on the new inflator; this is OK.
11. Cover the lower two inflator locknuts with new felt
tape.

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10-026