Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Odyssey and model year 2003 Acura MDX vehicles

Sep 19, 2013 — Recall Campaign #13V412000

Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Odyssey and model year 2003 Acura MDX vehicles. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front air bags, side curtain air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.

The recall was influenced by the Office of Defects Investigation with about 374,618 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

13V412000

Manufacturer:	Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Recall date:	September 19, 2013
NHTSA Campaign #:	13V412000
Units affected:	374,618

Description:: Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 and 2004 Odyssey and model year 2003 Acura MDX vehicles. Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module may fail causing the front air bags, side curtain air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Consequeces:: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
Corrective action:: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a noise suppressor unit, free of charge. The recall began on November 1, 2013. A renotification letter went out on July 11, 2014 for the 2003 Acura and the 2003-2004 Odyssey. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's recall numbers are JC2 (Honda Odyssey) and JC3 (Acura MDX).
Notes:: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Affects the following:

2003 ACURA MDX Complaints
Driving up a hill in this 2003 Acura MDX and the TRANSMISSION failed. Came to a stop in the middle of the street. Several cars almost hit me. Checked online and this vehicle has a known problem of the transmission going out around 70,000 miles. A mechanic started changing it out in my driveway .then winter came. It's been sitting in my driveway ever since.;
2004 HONDA ODYSSEY Complaints
On XXX while traveling at approximately 50 mph on a smooth highway, both front airbags and the seatbelt pretensioners spontaneously deployed and exploded without warning. There was absolutely no collision, crash, road debris, or pothole impact. There were no vehichles in front or behind me. The vehicle continued smoothly for 100 yards post-blast. The vehicle's exterior and undercarriage remain completely undamaged. COMPONENTS FAILED: The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) electronic control unit failed catastrophically. The explosive blast shattered the windshield, locked the seatbelt assemblies, and inflicted immediate blast-induced acoustic trauma/severe tinnitus. The vehicle is completely disabled but safely secured on private property and is available for immediate physical inspection. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER CONFIRMATION: The manufacturer (American Honda Corporate) has officially cross-referenced this vehicle and confirmed that the safety remedy for the known SRS control unit defect (NHTSA Recall Campaign 13V-412) was previously performed on XXX, at an authorized dealer (Billy Wood Honda in [XXX]). This incident represents a catastrophic failure of a certified manufacturer safety remedy. American Honda Corporate has opened a high-priority Level 1 Product Liability Investigation under Corporate Case Number XXX. RISK AND WARNING SYMPTOMS: Driver safety was put at extreme risk due to an unprovoked explosive detonation at highway speeds, causing temporary blindness from white smoke and sudden hearing deprivation. The SRS warning lamp was confirmed illuminated immediately following the zero-impact deployment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6);