Honda Malaysia Confirms Takata Airbag Inflator Rupture in Jan 1 Fatal Crash

Honda Malaysia today confirmed that a Takata airbag inflator ruptured in a crash on January 1 in Selangor involving a 2004 Honda City, resulting in the death of the driver.

No official cause of death has been determined but Honda has confirmed after an inspection with the Royal Malaysia Police that the Takata single stage (SDI) driver’s airbag inflator ruptured in the vehicle involved.

According to Honda Malaysia, the 2004 Honda City involved in the crash was included in a Malaysian Product Recall announced on May 21, 2015, requiring replacement of the SDI inflator of the Takata driver’s front airbag.

It is said that several notification letters related to the recall were sent out but the current owner did not receive them due to change of ownership. Honda Malaysia said that their records indicated that the recall replacement was never completed.

On another note, Honda Malaysia confirmed that the passenger airbag inflator, unlike the driver’s airbag, deployed and functioned properly without any rupture during the crash.

As of January 25, 2018, Honda Malaysia has completed more than 221,000 units of Takata driver front airbag inflator which translates to 84% completion ratio. The total number of Takata driver and passenger front airbag inflator replacements completed is at more than 427,000 (76% completed).

For the City (2003-2008), Honda Malaysia has completed more than 93,000 units of Takata driver and passenger front airbag inflator replacements, translating to 77% completion ratio.

Vehicle owners can check their vehicles' product recall status at www.productrecall.honda.com.my or www.honda.com.my or call our toll free number at 1-800-88-2020 or visit any Honda authorized dealers.

Honda Malaysia also affirmed that the current model line-up do not have the same type of Takata airbag inflators as previous models affected for the recall, and that all new models are not affected.