Some automotive recalls are so serious that the automakers issue a “do not drive” warning, advising owners to park their vehicles until the repair is made. Even though the repair is free, many owners either ignore it or are unaware of it.
In February, Honda issued a “do not drive” warning for older cars with Alpha airbags. These vehicles are 20 to 22 years old now, and the risk to vehicle occupants is dire. Some have been repaired under the recall but many more are still on the road.
Alpha airbags are some of the oldest under recall and they have a 50% failure rate, according to safety regulators. If the inflators rupture, the metal fragments ejected toward the driver’s face could kill or leave them with devastating, life-altering injuries.
Here is the list of Honda models that should not be driven until the recall repaid is made:
2001-2002 Honda Accord
2001-2002 Honda Civic
2002 Honda CR-V
2002 Honda Odyssey
2003 Honda Pilot
2002-2003 Acura 3.2 TL
2003 Acura 3.2CL
Takata airbags still exploding
In July, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported a Takata airbag fatality in a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, which was one of the 385,686 recalled in 2015. NHTSA estimates roughly 84,000 of these pickup trucks are still unrepaired, and the agency warns that occupants are at grave risk of serious injury or death.
The vehicles are under a “do not drive” warning and the July fatality brought the total number of confirmed Takata fatalities in the United States to 26.
“The older a defective Takata airbag inflator gets, the more dangerous it becomes. Please, get your airbag replaced now for your sake, and for the sake of those who love you,” NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson said. “Don’t put yourself or someone you love at risk of dying or being seriously injured because of a defective, recalled Takata airbag. These repairs are absolutely free and could save your life.”
Fire hazard
Though it stopped short of issuing a “do not drive” warning, in September Hyundai recalled 1.6 million vehicles because they can catch fire. The company said the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) module may leak brake fluid internally and cause an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while the vehicle is parked or being driven.
When parked, Hyundai said the vehicles should not be left in a garage and should be parked away from any structure. Affect models include:
Model year 2011-2015 Elantras, Genesis Coupes & Sonata Hybrids, Model year 2012-2015 Accents, Azeras & Velosters
Model year 2013-2015 Elantra Coupes &, Santa Fes
Model year 2014-2015 Equus's
Model year 2010-2012 Veracruzs
Model year 2010-2013 Tucsons
Model year 2015 Tucson Fuel Cells, and
Model year 2013 Santa Fe Sports.
An easy way to determine if your vehicle is still subject to a recall, go to NHTSA’s recall database and enter the vehicle’s 17-digit VIN. If the vehicle is subject to a “do not drive” recall a red box will display at the top of the page.