Automaker Honda will pay the state of Minnesota approximately $1.5 million as part of a multi-state settlement over defective front airbag systems installed in certain Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the United States.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Wednesday announced the state’s share of the $85 million settlement reached between American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda of America Mfg. Inc. and the attorneys general of 48 states, territories and the District of Columbia.
The settlement concludes an investigation into Honda’s alleged failure to inform regulators and consumers that the front airbags posed a significant risk of rupture, which could cause metal fragments to fly into the passenger compartments of many Honda and Acura vehicles.
The states allege that Honda’s actions and failure to act, as well as its misrepresentations about the safety of its vehicles, were unfair and deceptive, and that Honda’s conduct violated state consumer protection laws, including several Minnesota consumer-protection laws.
The airbags were designed and manufactured by Takata Corporation, a long-time Honda supplier, and were first installed in Honda vehicles in the 2001 model year.
The ruptures have resulted in at least 14 deaths and more than 200 injuries in the U.S. alone.
“All Minnesotans should be able to trust that that the cars they buy and drive are safe and reliable,” Ellison said in a Wednesday statement. “That’s basic to affording your life and living with dignity, safety, and respect. But Honda falsely touted the safety of their cars despite the massive safety hazard the airbags in its vehicles presented, then failed to make sure all affected vehicles were promptly recalled.”
Compensation is available for those who have suffered personal injury or other economic loss due to the Takata airbags in Honda vehicles, Ellison said.
Under the terms of the consent judgment, which will be filed with the Ramsey County District Court, Honda also has agreed to:
- Take steps to ensure future airbag designs include “fail-safe” features in the event the inflator ruptures.
- Ensure suppliers have appropriate industry certifications and satisfy key industry performance standards, as well as improve record-keeping and parts tracking.
- Implement recurrence-prevention procedures, such as approving new frontal airbag designs before considering them for new vehicles.
- Prohibit misleading advertisements and point-of-sale representations regarding safety.
- Improve areas such as risk management, quality control, supplier oversight, training, and certifications, and implementing mandatory whistleblower protections.
ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HONDA
The states allege Honda engineers suspected that the airbags’ propellant, ammonium nitrate, could burn aggressively and cause the inflator to burst. Despite these concerns, Honda delayed warning consumers or automobile safety officials, even as it began partial recalls of affected vehicles in 2008 and 2009.
Despite the concerns, Honda continued to represent to consumers that its vehicles, including its airbags, were safe, the states allege. Since 2008, Honda has recalled approximately 12.9 million Honda and Acura vehicles that were equipped with the suspect inflators.
WHAT OWNERS CAN DO
Honda or Acura vehicle owners are encouraged to visit Honda’s airbag recall website at https://hondaairbaginfo.com or call its toll-free Customer Service number at 888-234-2138 to see if their vehicle is subject to a recall. Consumers may also check for open recalls by going to Safercar.gov. The recall repairs are free at authorized Honda dealers.
For more information about the how to make a claim for restitution, visit the www.takataairbaginjurytrust.com claims website.
Those with questions can contact the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office by calling 651-296-3353 or 800-657-3787 or by online at ag.state.mn.us.
