Jan. 24, 2020—At least 400,000 recalled vehicles in Ohio contain dangerously defective airbags that could blast sharp metal fragments at drivers and passengers upon deployment, resulting in serious injury or death, even in a minor crash.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the ongoing, urgent safety airbag recall—the largest and most complex safety recall in U.S. history—affects tens of millions of vehicles from 19 vehicle manufacturers and more than 200 models and model years. At least 16 Americans have been killed, and more than 300 individuals have suffered serious injuries allegedly caused by these defective airbags.
As of November 2019, of the approximately 1.7 million airbags on the road in Ohio that were initially identified as containing these dangerously defective airbags, roughly 500,000—or about 29 percent—remain unrepaired in around 400,000 vehicles, even after as many as dozens of outreach attempts by vehicle manufacturers.
While the recall affects vehicles made by 19 different vehicle manufacturers, certain 2001-2003 Hondas and Acuras as well as certain 2006 Ford Ranger trucks and Mazda B-Series trucks are considered higher risk. NHTSA urges consumers not to drive these vehicles unless they are going straight to a dealer to have them repaired immediately. In Ohio, more than 1,000 unrepaired airbags fall into the higher risk, 'Do Not Drive' category. The specific 'Do Not Drive' models are listed below:
- 2001-2002 Honda Civic
- 2001-2002 Honda Accord
- 2002-2003 Acura TL
- 2002 Honda CR-V
- 2002 Honda Odyssey
- 2003 Acura CL
- 2003 Honda Pilot
- Certain 2006 Ford Ranger
- Certain 2006 Mazda B-Series
Affected vehicle manufacturers are undertaking a variety of outreach efforts to help alert vehicle owners affected by the recall and schedule free, potentially life-saving repairs.
