Government Forces New Airbag Recall that Affects 2.12 Million Vehicles

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is recalling more than 2 million vehicles to fix a defect it says was not properly remedied under a previous recall. Airbags can inadvertently deploy in 2.12 million Acura, Dodge, Jeep, Honda, Pontiac and Toyota vehicles, increasing the risk of an injury.

Related: More Recalls

NHTSA says this campaign will provide owners with a new remedy after the manufacturers' original attempts to fix the defects proved ineffective.

Approximately 374,200 Honda vehicles are affected:

• Model-year 2003-04 Odyssey minivans manufactured Feb. 13, 2002, to Aug. 13, 2004
• Model-year 2003 Acura MDX SUVs manufactured Feb. 21, 2002, to Sept. 23, 2003

Approximately 753,200 vehicles from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles are affected:

• Model-year 2002-03 Jeep Liberty SUVs manufactured Jan. 9, 2001, to March 28, 2003
• Model-year 2002-04 Jeep Cherokee SUVs manufactured Feb. 13, 2001, to May 23, 2003
• Model-year 2003-04 Dodge Viper sports cars manufactured Nov. 1, 2001, to June 30, 2004

Approximately 1.2 million Toyota vehicles are affected:

• Model-year 2003-04 Toyota Corolla sedans manufactured Dec. 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004
• Model-year 2003-04 Matrix hatchbacks manufactured Jan. 6, 2002, to April 29, 2004; the related 2003-04 Pontiac Vibe hatchback is also being recalled
• Model-year 2003-04 Avalon sedans manufactured June 5, 2002, to Dec. 20, 2004

NHTSA says that in these vehicles, an airbag control module component made by supplier TRW could fail, causing the front airbags, side airbags, and/or seat belt pretensioners to suddenly deploy while the vehicle is being driven. Many of these vehicles have already been fixed under a previous campaign, but NHTSA says it's identified about 40 vehicles in which airbags deployed unexpectedly after receiving the original remedy.

What's more, about 1 million Toyota and Honda vehicles involved in this recall are also involved in the Takata airbag recall; the defective Takata airbags could deploy with enough force to cause injury or death to vehicle occupants. NHTSA is urging consumers to take these safety campaigns seriously.

Dealers will replace the airbag control module and front- and/or side-impact sensors for free, but the parts aren't currently available. In the meantime, dealers will perform an interim repair. NHTSA says the repair reduces the risk of an inadvertent deployment; the parts for the permanent fix will not be available until late 2015.

"This is unfortunately a complicated issue for consumers, who may have to return to their dealer more than once. But this is an urgent safety issue, and all consumers with vehicles covered by the previous recalls should have that remedy installed. Even though it's a temporary solution until the new remedy is available, they and their families will be safer if they take the time to learn if their vehicle is covered and follow their manufacturers' instructions. A hassle is much better than a family tragedy," NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said in a statement.

Consumers with questions can call NHTSA's Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236; Chrysler,800-853-1403; Toyota, 800-331-4331; or Honda, 800-999-1009.

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