Honda recalling 25k Odyssey minivans over side curtain airbags

Fri, 02 May 2014

Honda's refreshed 2014 Odyssey (now with 100-percent more vacuum power!) launched last year, but is now being called back for issues related to the side curtain airbags. According to Honda, 24,889 Odyssey minivans are affected by an issue that may cause the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) warning light to illuminate or, even worse, cause the side airbags to not deploy in a crash.

What went wrong, exactly? We'll let Honda explain:

During assembly of the electrical coupler for the side curtain airbag on the passenger's side of the vehicle, it is possible that the shorting terminal, which is used to prevent deployment of the airbag before it is assembled into the vehicle, may have been damaged. A damaged shorting terminal may illuminate the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) indicator as well as prevent the side curtain airbag from deploying during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Honda dealers will replace the shorting computer, free of charge. Owners will be notified by mail after May 16. For the full details, scroll down for Honda's press blast.

Statement by American Honda regarding side curtain airbag recall: 2014 Honda Odyssey

Honda will voluntarily recall 24,889 model-year 2014 Odyssey vehicles in the United States to replace the shorting coupler, an electrical component in the side curtain airbag system, free of charge. During assembly of the electrical coupler for the side curtain airbag on the passenger's side of the vehicle, it is possible that the shorting terminal, which is used to prevent deployment of the airbag before it is assembled into the vehicle, may have been damaged. A damaged shorting terminal may illuminate the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) indicator as well as prevent the side curtain airbag from deploying during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. No crashes or injuries have been reported related to this issue, which was discovered through warranty repairs.

Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners that purchased an affected vehicle to take it to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda. Mailed notification to customers will begin on May 16, 2014. In addition to contacting customers by mail, at that time, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles require repair by going to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (800) 999-1009, and selecting option 4.

By Steven J. Ewing