Honda Cars Philippines recalling 9,743 Civic and CR-V models

MANILA, Philippines - Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) announced that it is recalling some 9,743 units of the Civic (Model Year 2001-2002) and CR-V (Model Year 2002) sold in the country between 2001-2002 due to a faulty inflation device in the front passenger airbag. Honda Motor findings show that during the manufacturing process, the automatic rejection system machine failed to detect defective Airbag Inflators with low density propellants.  In turn, these defective inflation devices were installed in these vehicles. As a result, upon airbag deployment, the pressure increases excessively and might cause the inflator case to rupture.

This announcement is part of a global recall of Honda vehicle encompassing some 1,142,000 various Honda vehicles. While there has been no known case of abnormal deployment of the passenger airbag and/or injuries related to this issue, Honda will replace the faulty inflator for all affected vehicles.

HCPI is taking the proactive measure through this safety recall in accordance with Honda’s own company standards even if no specific law in the Philippines requires such an action.

Concerned customers shall be notified through phone by Honda dealers and Letters of Notice have been sent starting last April 12. Honda is announcing this safety recall to encourage owners of all affected vehicles to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda.

HCPI will replace, free of charge, the inflator of the affected Honda models. Replacement of the part will take about one hour and will be carried out in all 28 authorized dealers and three service centers nationwide.  Repair service of affected vehicles will sequentially start from April 22, 2013.

To conduct the voluntary safety recall in an orderly manner, customers are requested to call their respective dealers for service appointment or call the Honda Hotline 1-800-1000-HONDA (46632) and (02) 857-7240 or email at [email protected] for inquiries and details of scheduling.

In the event that the owners have already sold their units, they shall be requested to inform the dealership immediately so as to inform the transferee of this recall campaign. Also, the frame numbers of affected vehicles shall be posted on HCPI’s official website: www.hondaphil.com.

This announcement is part of a massive worldwide recall of Japanese vehicles encompassing not just Honda but Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda vehicles as well. The total number of affected vehicles is expected to reach some 3.4-million worldwide. Right after the Honda Motor report was revealed; Toyota also announced that it is recalling 1.7-million vehicles including the Corolla, Matrix, and Camry while Nissan is recalling some 480,000 and Mazda adding some 45,000. All of the affected cars sourced the defective airbag component from Japan-based Takata Corporation. As of press time, Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation, Nissan Motor Philippines, and Berjaya Auto Philippines (Mazda distributor) have yet to issue a statement if any of their Philippine products are part of the global recall.