Honda Odyssey Recall Issued Over Side Curtain Airbag Problems

Honda is recalling nearly 25,000 Odyssey mini-vans from the 2014 model year, due to problems with the side-curtain airbag on the passenger’s side of the vehicle, which may not deploy in the event of a crash and increase the risk of serious injury for passengers.

The Honda Odyssey recall (PDF) was announced by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last month, after learning the electrical coupler leading to the airbags on the passenger’s side-door may have a short in the terminal of the wiring harness connector, causing the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) light to illuminate and potentially prevent the airbag from deploying in a crash. To date, no injuries or accidents have been reported.

Honda learned of the defect after the airbag supplier informed them that a maintenance activity performed in September 2013, could have potentially damaged the wiring harness connector, which is used to prevent deployment of the airbag before it is assembled into the vehicle. The supplier informed Honda that if the shortage in the wiring harness takes place the SRS light will illuminate indicating an error.

Upon further in-house quality checks, Honda discovered at least 101 warranty claims from customers that indicated the SRS light had illuminated and stayed on, leading the manufacturer to believe a safety risk does exist and to conduct a recall.

The affected vehicles are 2014 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured between October 2, 2013 and December 16, 2013 with VIN numbers ranging from 5FNRL5H65EB036215 to 5FNRL5H61EBO63184. The vehicles were manufactured by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC and sold nationwide.

Honda plans to mail recall notifications to owners by May 2, instructing owners to take their Odyssey to a Honda dealer where they will remove the damaged shorting pin from the side curtain airbag coupler and install a new shorting coupler free of charge under the vehicle warranty. Customers with additional questions should contact their Honda dealer.