Compounding the possibility that certain vehicles may have been fitted with defective Takata airbags, approximately 2.12 million vehicles are being called back for airbags that could deploy inadvertently under normal driving conditions.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called back a total of 2.12 million Acura MDX, Dodge Viper, Honda Odyssey, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Liberty, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Avalon Toyota Corolla and Toyota Matrix models that were manufactured between 2002 and 2004. The issue affects approximately 750,000 Jeep vehicles, about 370,000 Hondas, and around 1 million Pontiacs, Dodges and Corollas.
The affected vehicles were called back to address issues in 2012, 2013 and 2014 concerning airbag and seatbelt pretensioners, which contract seatbelts when vehicles are jarred.
All three manufacturers of the affected vehicles repaired damaged electronic control units (ECU) and they installed filters or harnesses to protect units that hadn't suffered any damages, remedies that the NHTSA says resolved most of the issues. Now they have discovered that the airbags could deploy when there's no need for them to do so.
NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said this may not be the last time the affected consumers will have to head back to their dealerships for fixes on related issues.
"[This matter] is an urgent safety issue, and all consumers with vehicles covered by the previous recalls should have that remedy installed," said Rosekind. "Even though it's a temporary solution until the new remedy is available, they and their families will be safer if they take the time to learn if their vehicle is covered and follow their manufacturers' instructions. A hassle is much better than a family tragedy."
About 1.2 million of the recalled Toyota and Honda vehicles have already been called for issues related to their Takata airbags, which could deploy with more force than necessary.
The latest fix is similar to the first. The three automobile manufacturers will replace all of the ECUs in the recalled vehicles to prevent the airbags from deploying inadvertently.
"The fact that the electronic defect could cause an inadvertent deployment in airbags that may rupture and injure occupants means it is doubly important for consumers to get their vehicle fixed as soon as a remedy is available," said the NHTSA.
The NHTSA expects the recall to take several months and it says it will monitor both parts supplier TRW Automotive and the three automakers to ensure that the call back campaign stays on schedule.
In the meantime, the NHTSA warns consumers to contact their dealerships as soon as possible and to refrain from disconnecting their airbags -- the safety risks are too great.
Individuals who have additional questions about the recall are encouraged to get in touch with the NHTSA's Safety Hotline at 1-800-424-9153.
