Service Bulletin

Service Bulletin
April 24, 2015
14-029
51970-01893 Version 6
Recall: Driver’s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After
Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity
Supersedes 14-029, dated April 14, 2015, to revise the information highlighted in yellow
AFFECTED VEHICLES
Year
Model
2003
3.2CL
2003–06
MDX
2002–03
3.2TL
Trim
ALL
ALL
ALL
VIN Range
Check the iN VIN status for eligibility
Check the iN VIN status for eligibility
Check the iN VIN status for eligibility
REVISION SUMMARY
A label that has the part number and serial number of the inflator may be included in the airbag inflator kit to make
tracking this information easier.
New and different inflators are available. Refer to step 9 of REPAIR PROCEDURE for new installation procedure and all
applicable inflator part numbers.
BACKGROUND
Certain Acura vehicles operated in areas known for high absolute humidity and high heat may contain a driver’s airbag
that, over time, may be affected by exposure to the humidity, which could produce excessive internal pressure. If an
affected airbag deploys, the increased internal pressure may cause the inflator casing to rupture upon deployment.
Metal fragments could pass through the airbag cushion material, possibly causing injury or fatality to vehicle occupants.
New and different inflators are available. You may receive a different part number than ordered, and the inflator may
appear different. As a result, there may be different installation instructions. Make sure you review this service bulletin
for installation instructions and details about model applicability. PARTS INFORMATION and REPAIR PROCEDURE
were updated to reflect these new parts.
While much of the United States does not experience high absolute humidity over an extended period of time, to
address client concerns, American Honda has decided to expand this campaign nationwide.
NOTE: Step 9 under REPAIR PROCEDURE was changed to include installation procedures for all applicable inflator
part numbers.
CLIENT NOTIFICATION
Owners of affected vehicles will receive a notification of this campaign.
Do an iN VIN status inquiry to make sure the vehicle is shown as eligible.
Some vehicles affected by this campaign may be in your used vehicle inventory. These vehicles must be repaired
before they are sold.
Should your dealership sell an unrepaired vehicle that subsequently causes injury or damage because of the recalled
item, the dealership will be solely responsible to the damaged party, and will be required to defend and indemnify
American Honda for any resulting claims. To see if a vehicle in inventory is affected by this recall, do a VIN status
inquiry before selling it.
CLIENT INFORMATION: The information in this bulletin is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment, and
training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures should not be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume
this bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information applies, contact an
authorized Acura automobile dealer.
© 2015 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved
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CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace the driver’s airbag inflator, then return the original, undeployed inflator as directed.
PARTS INFORMATION
NOTE: Always use new Torx bolts to reinstall the airbags. The new Torx bolts are coated with threadlock to make sure
they do not come loose.
Part Name
2003 3.2CL Driver’s Airbag Inflator Kit
Part Number
You may receive any
of the following
Quantity
04770-S5A-305
04770-S5A-305
1
04770-S5A-405
2003–06 MDX Driver’s Airbag Inflator Kit
04770-S9A-306
04770-S9A-306
1
04770-S9A-405
04770-S9A-409
2002–03 3.2TL Driver’s Airbag Inflator Kit
04770-S5A-305
04770-S5A-305
1
04770-S5A-405
NOTE:
• The inflator kit box must be used to return the recalled inflator to its supplier, ideally within 48 hours of the repair. Be
careful not to damage the inflator kit box.
• If the recalled, undeployed inflator is not returned, the warranty claim for that vehicle will be charged back to your
dealership.
• Follow the shipping instructions supplied with the inflator kit. If you have any questions about shipping, call Warranty
Parts Inspection (WPI) at 937-642-2737.
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WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
NOTE:
• To avoid a warranty claim being charged back to your dealership, the defective, undeployed inflator must be
returned to its supplier. Follow the shipping instructions supplied with the inflator kit. If you have any questions
about shipping, call Warranty Parts Inspection (WPI) at 937-642-2737.
• Template IDs cannot be used because there are different inflator part numbers available and it would be too
complex to have a template ID for each part number.
• The replacement inflator part number and serial number are printed on the label that should be attached to the
R.O.
• To avoid non-payment of warranty claims, the new airbag inflator part number must be included in each claim and
the serial number must be entered into the Diagnostic Trouble Codes field. For more information, refer to step 2 of
REPAIR PROCEDURE.
• The serial number is encoded into the bar code printed on the label. If your dealership uses a scanner, you can
scan the serial number into the claim.
Replacing the front passenger’s airbag inflator
Year/Model
Operation
Number
Replacement
Part Number
Flat
Rate
Time
Defect
Code
Symptom
Code
Template
ID
Failed Part Number
2003 3.2CL
7521H1
04770-S5A-305
0.5 hr
5VZ00
JH300
14-029N
06770-SY8-A90ZA
7521H1
04770-S5A-405
0.5 hr
5VZ00
JH300
14-029R
06770-SY8-A90ZA
7521H1
04770-S9A-306
0.5 hr
5VZ00
JH400
14-029P
06770-S3V-A20ZB
7521H1
04770-S9A-405
0.5 hr
5VZ00
JH400
14-029S
06770-S3V-A20ZB
7521H1
04770-S9A-409
0.5 hr
5VZ00
JH400
14-029T
06770-S3V-A20ZB
7521H1
04770-S5A-305
0.5 hr
5VZ00
JH500
14-029Q
06770-S0K-A90ZA
7521H1
04770-S5A-405
0.5 hr
5VZ00
JH500
14-029U
06770-S0K-A90ZA
2003–06 MDX
2002–03
3.2TL
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REPAIR PROCEDURE
NOTE:
• Be careful not to damage any parts when replacing the inflator, and follow the procedure exactly.
• If, before removing the airbag, you suspect that it may be the incorrect airbag for the vehicle or a counterfeit, do not
remove the airbag. Contact your DPSM for assistance.
1. Remove the driver’s airbag.
2. Peel the label located inside the inflator box from its backing and attach it to the R.O. For the warranty claim to be
paid, the replacement inflator part number that you received must be on the warranty claim and your warranty
clerk must enter the serial number in the Diagnostic Trouble Codes field.
NOTE:
• The replacement part number is printed on the top part of the label and the serial number is printed on the
bottom. Make sure you attach the label to the R.O. and give it to the warranty clerk.
• There may also be a colored sticker located in the kit, ignore it because it is not used.
• Not all inflator kits have a label included. In those cases, write the serial number and part number from the side
of the inflator box on the R.O. The part number always starts with 047.
3. Place the airbag, face down, on a clean shop towel.
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4. Visually inspect the airbag and the inflator for any unusual writing or markings.
•
•
If there is nothing unusual about the airbag or the inflator, go to step 5.
If there are any unusual markings, like an incorrect label or a model year written in marker, the airbag and
inflator may not be the correct airbag and/or inflator for the vehicle or it may be a counterfeit part. For more
information about counterfeit airbags, you can refer to safercar.gov, enter keywords MANAGING
COUNTERFEIT, and select Recommended Dealer Guidance for Managing Counterfeit Air Bags from the
list. If you suspect that the airbag or inflator is counterfeit, do not continue this procedure. Contact your
DPSM for assistance.
5. If there is no horn plate installed, go to step 7. If there is a horn plate installed, remove the four horn plate mounting
bolts, the mounting bolt felt washers, the horn plate, and remove the felt tape covering the lower two inflator
locknuts. The felt washers and felt tape will not be reused.
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6. Using needle-nose vise grips or a 3/8 in. 6-point socket, remove the four locknuts from the inflator. The locknuts will
not be reused.
NOTE: Do not remove the inflator from the airbag until you complete step 7.
7. Use shop air to clean any debris that may be on the inflator, then remove the inflator from the airbag.
NOTE:
• Do not allow any debris to enter the inflator opening in the airbag.
• Do not deploy the inflator. The inflator must be returned to its supplier in the box the new inflator came in.
Follow the shipping instructions supplied with the inflator kit. If you have any questions about shipping, call
Warranty Parts Inspection (WPI) at 937-642-2737.
8. Turn over the airbag (inflator side down), and shake it to remove any debris from the inflator opening.
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9. Install the new inflator in the airbag.
NOTE: There may be some minor surface rust or corrosion on the new inflator; this is OK.
Click on the image below for a short video about the different inflators.
Check your part number against the ones listed for each installation procedure. Use the correct installation
procedure for the part you received.
Part Number
04770-S5A-305
Refer to Driver’s Inflator Type 1 in the video.
04770-S9A-306
• Insert the inflator into the opening.
NOTE: Make sure the inflator wires are positioned toward the bottom of the airbag. If you install the inflator
incorrectly, you may not be able to reconnect the SRS airbag harness.
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Check your part number against the ones listed for each installation procedure. Use the correct installation
procedure for the part you received.
Part Number
04770-S5A-405
Refer to Driver’s Inflator Type 2 in the video.
04770-S9A-405
• Insert the airbag inflator into the opening. Do not force it into the airbag module.
NOTE: Make sure the inflator wires are positioned toward the bottom of the airbag. If you install the inflator
incorrectly, you may not be able to reconnect the SRS airbag harness.
•
Using a pair of pliers, gently pull up on each stud up while pushing the inflator module down until the airbag is
properly seated within the airbag module.
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Check your part number against the ones listed for each installation procedure. Use the correct installation
procedure for the part you received.
Part Number
04770-S9A-409
Refer to Driver’s Inflator Type 4 in the video.
•
Place the inflator into the opening with the inflator harness toward the bottom of the airbag.
• Install the bracket onto the studs with the stamp LOWER at the bottom of the airbag.
• Make sure the three tabs and notches are properly aligned.
NOTE:
• The tabs and notches are designed to align in one direction only. If the tabs and notches are not aligned,
the inflator and bracket are not installed correctly.
• Make sure the harness comes out through the center opening. Do not install the bracket over the harness
wires.
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10. Install and torque the new locknuts to 3.9 N·m (2.8 lb-ft, 34 lb-in).
11. Cover the lower two inflator locknuts with new felt tape.
12. Reinstall the horn plate with new felt washers on its mounting bolts. Torque the mounting bolts to 3.4 N·m (2.5 lb-ft,
30 lb-in), then make sure the horn plate moves freely.
13. Reinstall the driver’s airbag using new Torx bolts.
14. Give your warranty clerk the R.O. that includes the inflator serial number and replacement part number. For the
warranty claim to be paid, the replacement inflator part number must be on the warranty claim and your warranty
clerk must enter the serial number in the Diagnostic Trouble Codes field.
END
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