Service Bulletin

Service Bulletin
September 12, 2014
14-029
BTB 51970-52552 REV1 (1409)
Recall: Driver’s Airbag Inflator May Produce Excessive Pressure After
Long-Term Exposure to High Absolute Humidity
(Supersedes 14-029, dated July 23, 2014; parts, warranty, and repair information have been added. Make sure to
read this bulletin in its entirety)
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
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.
Affected vehicles were sold and/or registered in the following geographic locations: Alabama, California, Florida,
Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace the driver’s airbag inflator, then return the original, undeployed inflator as directed.
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.
© 2014 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved
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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
Part Number
Quantity
2003 3.2CL Driver’s Airbag Inflator Kit
04770-S5A-305
1
2003–06 MDX Driver’s Airbag Inflator Kit
04770-S9A-306
1
2002–03 3.2TL Driver’s Airbag Inflator Kit
04770-S5A-305
1
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.
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
NOTE:
• To avoid non-payment of warranty claims, the 13-digit serial number on the box of the new airbag inflator must be
entered in the Diagnostic Trouble Codes field on each warranty claim. For more information, refer to step 2 of
REPAIR PROCEDURE.
• To avoid a warranty claim being charged back to your dealership, you must return the original, undeployed inflator
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.
Year/Model
Operation
Number
Description
Flat
Rate
Time
Defect
Code
Symptom
Code
Template
ID
Failed Part Number
2003 3.2CL
7521H1
0.5 hr
5VZ00
JH300
14-029N
06770-SY8-A90ZA
2003-06 MDX
7521H1
0.5 hr
5VZ00
JH400
14-029P
06770-S3V-A20ZB
2002-03 3.2TL
7521H1
Replace the
driver’s
airbag
inflator.
0.5 hr
5VZ00
JH500
14-029Q
06770-S0K-A90ZA
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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. Write down the 13-digit serial number located on the right side of the new inflator’s box. For the warranty claim to be
paid, your warranty clerk must enter this 13-digit serial number in the Diagnostic Trouble Codes field on the
warranty claim.
3. Place the airbag, face down, on a clean shop towel.
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.
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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.
6. Using needle-nose vise grips, 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.
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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.
9. Install the new inflator in the airbag with new locknuts. Torque the locknuts to 3.9 N·m (2.8 lb-ft, 34 lb-in).
NOTE: The new inflator is slightly different than the original inflator, but they are still interchangeable.
10. Cover the lower two inflator locknuts with new felt tape.
11. 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.
12. Reinstall the driver’s airbag using new Torx bolts.
13. Give your warranty clerk the 13-digit inflator serial number you wrote down in step 2. For the warranty claim to be
paid, your warranty clerk must enter the appropriate 13-digit serial number in the Diagnostic Trouble Codes field on
the warranty claim.
END
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