The Tribune

By RIEL MAJOR

IN light of a Honda recall, officials from Nassau Motor Company Limited will be hosting a free week-long airbag inflator replacement event.

According to Honda officials, the company has recalled approximately 1.2 million Honda and Acura vehicles, assembled from the year 2001 through 2016, as a result of faulty airbag inflators.

Rick Lowe, director/operations manager of Nassau Motor Company Ltd, said the event will take place at the old City Market property on the corner of Village and Wulff Roads.

Mr Lowe said: "We will have about 20 technicians going to be there and it’ll take about 45 minutes to replace one airbag inflator. The event is from the April 9-13 from 8am to 5pm.

"The event is for everyone... whether the car is a right-hand drive, bought from Japan, bought from America or bought from us."

Mr Lowe said there were 19 manufacturers that were affected.

He said: "All those manufactures bought inflators from the company called Takata and their having recalls in their own way, but Honda is very aggressive. Initially there are 20 some people that have been killed and couple hundred injured so Honda is being aggressive in trying to get it done.

“(Honda officials) have been visiting countries in the region. Honda and (Nassau Motor Limited) are doing this as a safety precaution.”

Mr Lowe encouraged all Acura and Honda owners to attend the event stating it is better to be safe than sorry.

In a press release, officials from Honda urged Honda and Acura owners to schedule repair at an authorised dealer as soon as possible.

The press statement read: “The vehicles involved in this recall were previously repaired using specific Takata desiccated replacement inflators (PSDI-5D) or entire replacement airbag modules containing these inflators, neither subject to recall at that time. Those replacement inflators are now deemed defective.

“Honda initially became aware of a potential issue after a single-vehicle crash involving a 2004 Honda Odyssey. The vehicle’s driver front airbag deployed and the Takata PSDI-5D replacement inflator ruptured, causing an injury to the driver’s arm.

"A subsequent investigation revealed that PSDI-5D inflators manufactured at Takata’s Monclova, Mexico facility experienced manufacturing process errors that introduced excessive moisture into the inflator during assembly. Moisture within the sealed inflator may lead to accelerated propellant degradation over time, leading to higher than normal inflator pressure upon airbag deployment. If a recalled driver front airbag deploys in a crash, its inflator may rupture, potentially shooting sharp metal fragments at the driver and passengers.”