NHTSA issues follow-up recall of 2.12 million cars, SUVs

Cars recalled due to unexpected deployment of airbags

WASHINGTON – More than 2.12 million cars and SUVs are being recalled for a defect that may cause airbags to deploy unexpectedly. The recalls include Acura, Dodge, Jeep, Honda, Pontiac and Toyota owners and will fix the defect after a previous recall by manufacturers failed to do so in some of the cars.

"Keeping the traveling public safe is our number one priority," said U.S. Transportation secretary Anthony Foxx. "We expect the manufacturers to get this remedy right to prevent injury to drivers and their families."

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The new recalls cover 2.12 million Acura MDX, Dodge Viper, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty, Honda Odyssey, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix and Toyota Avalon models made in the early 2000s. These models were previously recalled for the same problem, but the NHTSA found about 40 cars in which airbags still deployed unexpectedly after the first recall.

About 1 million Toyota and Honda owners involved in this recall are also subject to a recall for Takata airbags that may deploy with enough force to injure or kill drivers and passengers.

NHTSA urges owners covered by the first recall to take their cars to their local dealer for the original remedy, which significantly reduces the change of a harmful airbag deployment.

"This is unfortunately a complicated issue for consumers, who may have to return to their dealer more than once," said NHTSA administrator Mark Rosekind. "But this is an urgent safety issue, and all consumers with vehicles covered by the previous recalls should have that remedy installed. Even though it's a temporary solution until the new remedy is available, they and their families will be safer if they take the time to learn if their vehicle is covered and follow their manufacturers' instructions. A hassle is much better than a family tragedy."

NHTSA will also take these safety steps:

  • Seeking additional information from TRW, which made the electronic part believed to be involved in the inadvertent deployments, about the potential defect, its causes, and whether other makes or models might be affected.
  • Seeking information from the automakers about how quickly they can make the new, more effective remedy available.

"NHTSA is committed to using every tool available to make our roads safer, and that includes using our authority and influence to make sure companies are doing what they should do to protect safety," Rosekind said.