Update On Honda Malaysia’s Takata Airbag Recall

If by now you still haven’t had your Honda’s Takata front airbag inflator replaced due to a shortage of replacement parts or the long wait at the Honda dealerships or service centers, you probably have some unkind words to describe the company. Honda Malaysia wants you to know that it understands your plight and sincerely regrets this inconvenience. The company is actively working on solving this issue.

Its plans include :

1. Service Central Hubs

Honda Malaysia will set up 3 temporary Service Central Hubs to further increase its capacity to replace the Takata airbag inflators. These temporary hubs will begin operations from 1st August 2016 to 30th September 2016 and will be open 7 days a week from 8am to 7pm EXCEPT on the following public holidays – National Day, Hari Raya Haji & Malaysia Day.

The hub locations are:

• Northern Hub : Next to S.M.J.K. Convent Dato’ Keramat School – No. 401, Jalan Dato’ Keramat, 10150 Georgetown, Penang.

• Central Hub : Soo & Sons Metal Works Sdn. Bhd. (Next to Columbia Asia Hospital) – Lot 15 Jalan 13/6, Section 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

• Southern Hub : Oriental Assemblers Sdn. Bhd. – No. 99 & 99A-C, Jalan Tampoi, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor.

These Service Central Hubs will be provide additional service capacity for the Takata airbag inflator replacement activity and help ease service capacity limitations at Honda dealerships (the dealerships also have to deal with regular maintenance and repair requirements of other Honda owners).

You can make an appointment with any of the Service Central Hubs convenient to you by calling the Honda Toll-Free number: 1-800-88-2020.

Due to the multiple recalls for both Takata driver and front passenger airbags inflators, it’s possible that your vehicle is recalled for both Takata airbag inflators replacement. In such a situation, Honda Malaysia will prioritize the replacement of the DRIVER front airbag inflator, based on parts availability and due to the low stock availability of Takata passenger front airbag inflator. Honda Malaysia sincerely apologizes for this inconvenience.

If your front passenger airbag is affected by the recall and hasn’t been replaced and you have safety concerns, it is recommended that you keep the front passenger seat unoccupied for the time being.

2. Mobile Hubs

For added convenience, Honda Malaysia will supplement the Service Central Hubs with 24 Mobile Hubs which will be set up at 21 selected Petron service stations and 3 Honda Family Road Trip locations. These Mobile Hubs will open from 5th August 2016 until 25th September 2016 and will be operational every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 3 different locations from 8am to 7pm (please refer to schedules below).

In addition, Honda Malaysia has also formed Mobile Teams to support the Service Central Hubs and Mobile Hubs, and to further expedite Takata airbag inflator replacement activity. The hubs and teams will be staffed by trained Honda associates from Honda’s Melaka plant.

These teams will visit used car dealers to check the status of secondhand Honda cars being sold and replace airbag inflators in these cars, if required, before they are sold to new owners. Buyers of secondhand Honda cars are advised to check your vehicle’s status by keying in your vehicle VIN (chassis number) at www.honda.com.my or www.productrecall.honda.com.my.

3. Compensation for “Loss of Use of Car” during Waiting Period for Cars Sold by Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

Honda Malaysia understands the inconvenience caused by the Takata airbag recalls and that some customers will experience the loss of use of their Honda cars during the parts waiting period for the replacement parts for Takata driver front airbag inflators. You are advised to register themselves with Honda Malaysia at www.productrecall.honda.com.my for compensation of RM50 per day for “loss of use of car”. The compensation period begins on 28th July 2016 and ends on 31st August 2016.

Upon arrival of the replacement parts for Takata driver front airbag inflators, the registered customers with Honda Malaysia will be notified and advised to replace the airbag inflators within 2 days. The process and further details of the compensation plan are available at www.productrecall.honda.com.my.

Honda Malaysia assures that your safety is its highest priority and the company will continue to do the best to ensure parts availability and sufficient service capacity together with its authorized dealers in Malaysia and hopes for your understanding.

If you have concerns and questions related to this recall, you can visit www.honda.com.my or www.productrecall.honda.com.my or call the Honda Toll-Free number 1-800-88-2020.