Service Bulletin
Applies To:

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

09-033
September 12, 2014

Safety Recall: Driver’s Airbag Inflator Can Be Over-Pressurized
(Supersedes 09-033, dated December 21, 2011, to revise the information marked by the black bars)
REVISION SUMMARY
• Under PARTS INFORMATION, the part number
changed.
• Under REPAIR PROCEDURE, a step and note were
added.
BACKGROUND
A manufacturing error can produce over-pressurization
of the driver’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 pass through
the airbag cushion material, possibly causing an injury
or fatality to vehicle occupants.
CLIENT NOTIFICATION
All owners of affected vehicles will be sent a
notification of this campaign. An example of the client
notification is included at the end of this service
bulletin.
Do an iN VIN status inquiry to make sure the vehicle
is shown as eligible.
In addition, check for a punch mark above the third
character of the engine compartment VIN. A punch
mark in that location means this campaign has already
been completed.

CORRECTIVE ACTION
Install a driver’s airbag inflator kit, then return the
original, undeployed inflator as directed.
PARTS INFORMATION
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:
• 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.

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.

 2014 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved

BTB 42306-52549 (1409)

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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
13-digit 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 1 of REPAIR
PROCEDURE.
• To avoid a warranty claim being charged back to
your dealership, the original, undeployed inflator
must be returned. For more information, refer to
INFLATOR PACKING AND GROUND SHIPPING
INSTRUCTIONS: DEALERS IN THE 48
CONTIGUOUS STATES or INFLATOR PACKING
AND AIR SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS: DEALERS IN
ALASKA AND HAWAII.
Operation Number:
Flat Rate Time:
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.
• If, before removing the airbag, you suspect that it
may not be the correct airbag for the vehicle or a
counterfeit, do not remove the airbag. Contact your
DPSM for assistance.
1. Write down the 13-digit serial number located on
the right side of the new airbag inflator’s box. For
the warranty claim to be paid, your warranty clerk
must enter this 13-digit serial number in the
Diagnostic Trouble Codes field on the warranty
claim.
INFLATOR BOX

13-DIGIT SERIAL NUMBER

7521F4
0.5 hour
P/N 06770-S84-A11ZA
5SZ00
R1300
Repair Technician

2. Remove the driver’s airbag:
• Refer to page 23-219 of the 1999–2003 3.2TL
Service Manual, or
• Refer to page 23-204 of the 2001–2003 3.2CL
Service Manual, or
• Online, enter keywords DRIVER AIR, and select
Driver’s Airbag Replacement from the list.
3. Place the airbag, face down, on a clean shop towel.

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09-033

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.

09-033

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7. Using needle-nose Vise Grips, 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 7.

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 above the third
character of the engine compartment VIN:

(Discard.)

(Return to
manufacturer.)

Center-punch here.

19UUAXXXXXXXXXXXX
AIRBAG

15. Give your warranty clerk the 13-digit inflator serial
number you wrote down in step 1. For the warranty
claim to be paid, your warranty clerk must enter the
appropriate 13-digit serial number in the
Diagnostic Trouble Codes field on each warranty
claim.

Example of Client Letter No. 1

December 2011
Safety Recall: Driver’s Airbag Inflator NHTSA Recall 11V-260

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 (see
INFLATOR PACKING AND GROUND
SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS: DEALERS IN THE
48 CONTIGUOUS STATES or INFLATOR
PACKING AND AIR SHIPPING
INSTRUCTIONS: DEALERS IN ALASKA AND
HAWAII).
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 S5A inflator is slightly taller than the
S84 inflator, but they are still interchangeable.
11. Cover the lower two inflator locknuts with new felt
tape.

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Dear Acura Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the
requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle
Safety Act.
What is the reason for this notice?
Acura has decided that a defect related to motor
vehicle safety exists in certain 2002–2003 model year
TL vehicles and 2003 model year CL vehicles. In some
vehicles, the driver's airbag inflator could produce
excessive internal pressure. If an affected airbag
deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause
the inflator to rupture. Metal fragments could pass
through the airbag cushion material possibly causing
injury or fatality to vehicle occupants.
What should you do?
You must have your vehicle's driver's airbag inflator
replaced; this work will be done free of charge. You
must have the inflator replaced even if, earlier this
year, you 1) had your vehicle inspected and were told
that the driver's airbag inflator did not need to be
replaced, as we have now determined that the inflator
must be replaced, or 2) received a separate driver's
airbag recall notification letter and did not take any
action in response to it. In all cases, call any authorized
Acura dealer and make an appointment to have the
driver's airbag inflator replaced. The replacement
process may be completed in approximately 30
minutes; however, your vehicle will need to be at the
dealer for a longer period of time. We recommend that
you plan to leave your vehicle for half a day to allow the
dealer flexibility in scheduling.

09-033

Who to contact if you experience problems
If you are not satisfied with the service you receive
from your Acura dealer, you may write to:
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Acura Client Relations
Mail Stop 500-2N-7E
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
If you believe that American Honda or the dealer has
failed or is unable to remedy the defect in your vehicle,
without charge, within a reasonable period of time
(60 days from the date you first contact the dealer for a
repair appointment), you may submit a complaint to:
Administrator
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590
You can also call the toll-free Safety Hotline at
1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to
http://www.safercar.gov.
Lessor information
Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving
this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to
the lessee within 10 days.
If you have questions
If you have any questions about this notice, or need
assistance with locating an Acura dealer, please call
Acura Client Relations at 1-800-382-2238, and select
option 4. You can also locate a dealer online at
Acura.com.
We apologize for any inconvenience this campaign
may cause you.
Sincerely,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Acura Automobile Division
Example of Client Letter No. 2

December 2011
Safety Recall: Driver’s Airbag Inflator NHTSA Recall 11V-260
Dear Acura Owner:
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the
requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle
Safety Act.
What is the reason for this notice?
Acura has decided that a defect related to motor
vehicle safety exists in certain 2002–2003 model year
TL vehicles and 2003 model year CL vehicles. In some
vehicles, the driver's airbag inflator could produce
excessive internal pressure. If an affected airbag
deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause
the inflator to rupture. Metal fragments could pass
through the airbag cushion material possibly causing
injury or fatality to vehicle occupants.

09-033

What should you do?
Call any authorized Acura dealer and make an
appointment to have your vehicle repaired. The dealer
will replace the driver's airbag inflator. The replacement
process may be completed in approximately 30
minutes; however, your vehicle will need to be at the
dealer for a longer period of time. We recommend that
you plan to leave your vehicle for half a day to allow the
dealer flexibility in scheduling. This work will be done
free of charge.
Who to contact if you experience problems

If you are not satisfied with the service you receive
from your Acura dealer, you may write to:
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Acura Client Relations
Mail Stop 500-2N-7E
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
If you believe that American Honda or the dealer has
failed or is unable to remedy the defect in your vehicle,
without charge, within a reasonable period of time
(60 days from the date you first contact the dealer for a
repair appointment), you may submit a complaint to:
Administrator
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590
You can also call the toll-free Safety Hotline at
1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to
http://www.safercar.gov.
Lessor information
Federal law requires that any vehicle lessor receiving
this recall notice must forward a copy of this notice to
the lessee within 10 days.
If you have questions
If you have any questions about this notice, or need
assistance with locating an Acura dealer, please call
Acura Client Relations at 1-800-382-2238, and select
option 4. You can also locate a dealer online at
Acura.com.
We apologize for any inconvenience this campaign
may cause you.
Sincerely,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Acura Automobile Division

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