Transport Canada has just announced a recall that affects more than 400,000 Toyota models. Some Corolla, Matrix, and Avalon models will need a filter installed in the airbag circuit to prevent an issue that could lead to them not deploying in a crash. Meanwhile, Honda and Acura are also recalling close to 300,000 vehicles for an unrelated airbag issue that will require complete airbag replacement.
The Toyota recall involves the cars' airbag control modules. Transport Canada says that "on certain vehicles, the circuits within the airbag control module could be damaged in a crash." If that occurs, the airbags, as well as the pretensioners that fire to tighten the buckled seatbelts in the first moments of a crash, could fail to deploy.
If the airbags and seat belt pretensioners fail to deploy, Transport Canada says, it could create an "increased risk of injury." The affected vehicles include the Toyota Avalon from model years 2012-2018, the Toyota Corolla from 2011-2019, and the Toyota Matrix from 2011-2014. The automaker will alert owners of these vehicles by mail, and direct them to dealers for a fix. The repair for the issue is an electronic noise filter installed in the wiring system that will prevent control module damage.
Honda's recall is actually two separate recalls, and while they are Takata airbags, they are not related to the previous Takata recalls that affected nearly every carmaker over the past few years. The first covers 198,995 Acura and Honda models, where Honda says the airbags may have been made "without appropriate seals." This could allow air and moisture to enter and degrade the inflator propellant, leading to it deploying too slowly or two forcefully, either of which "could contribute to occupant injuries." The second recall involves 85,247 vehicles and is for the same issue, but applies to cars where an affected airbag may have been fitted after it left the factory, at service or repair.
The affected Honda and Acura models include the Acura CL, model years 1997-1999, 2001, 2002, Acura EL 1997-2000, Acura RL 1998-2003, Acura TL 1999-2001, Acura MDX 2001-2002, Honda Accord 1998-2000, Honda Civic 1996-2000, CR-V 1997-2001 and Honda Odyssey 1998-2001. Honda says it will begin to notify owners starting in March with a second notice once replacement parts become available, but warns that replacement isn't expected to start for approximately one year because replacement parts aren't yet available.
