Montreal Honda owner frustrated by latest airbag recall
Kate McKenna, Emily Brass | CBC News | Posted: April 22, 2016 5:06 PM | Last Updated: April 22, 2016
Owners can access replacement vehicles until new parts are ready
Chantal Boucher has owned three Hondas, and it's the third time she's had to deal with a recall.
The Montreal mother is among the owners of 2.2 million Honda vehicles impacted by the North American recall, this time over concerns about airbag deployment.
- Toyota expands Takata airbag recall to another 331,000 vehicles
- Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database
Honda Canada sent Boucher a letter informing of the issue and, while it didn't explicitly tell her not to drive her vehicle, she said she finds the news concerning.
"I have a seven-year-old boy, so it does enter my mind at times," she said.
The air bag inflators, which are made by Japanese company Takata, can explode and hurl shrapnel into the passenger compartment.
The air bag problems have caused at least 11 deaths and 139 injuries worldwide.
Honda Canada is recalling a total of 300,000 vehicles across the country, but its recall notice said new parts won't be available for vehicle owners until later this year. In the meantime, they can access replacement cars for free.
But Boucher said the whole process has been a headache.
"They don't come to your house right? You have to go to the dealer. You have to get that all taken care of," she said.
In a statement, Honda Canada said there haven't been any abnormal airbag deployments in Canada.
Affected models include:
- 2007 through 2011 Honda CR-Vs
- 2005-2012 Acura RLs
- 2007 to 2016 Acura RDXs including early production 2016 models,
- 2007 to 2014 Honda Ridgelines,
- 2009 to 2014 Honda Fits,
- 2009 to 2014 Acura TLs,
- 2010 to 2014 Honda FCX Claritys,
- 2010 to 2014 Honda Insights,
- 2010 to 2013 Acura ZDXs,
- 2011 to 2015 Honda CR-Zs
- 2013 to 2016 Acura ILX including early production 2016 vehicles.
Honda Canada created special airbag hotlines for owners who need immediate assistance. Honda owners can call 1-877-445-7754 and Acura owners can call 1-877-445-9844.