Many Inland cars still have faulty air bags
A Honda Motor Co. badge and airbag unit for the drivers seat are seen on the steering wheel of a Fit Hybrid vehicle.
, TOMOHIRO OHSUMI, BLOOMBERG FILE PHOTO
RECALLED VEHICLES
• 2001-2002 Honda Accord
• 2001-2002 Honda Civic
• 2002 Honda CR-V
• 2002 Honda Odyssey
• 2003 Honda Pilot
• 2002-2003 Acura 3.2TL
• 2003 Acura 3.2CL
Southern California owners of Hondas and Acuras are being urged to check if their vehicles have been recalled because of a potentially deadly airbag inflator.
Thousands – including many in Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties – haven't taken their cars to the dealer to get the problem fixed, state officials say.
Millions of vehicles have been recalled across the U.S. as part of the replacement of Takata airbag inflators.
Western Riverside and San Bernardino counties and northern and central Los Angeles County are listed as among the areas of the state with the largest concentration of recalled vehicle owners who have not been heard from, officials said. Statistics on how many vehicles are in each area were not available Friday, Nov. 4.
Some Honda and Acura models between 2001 and 2003 are on the recall list.
Those cars have a high risk of an airbag inflator malfunction in which metal pieces could shoot through the airbag cushion and kill or injure the driver or passenger, traffic safety officials say.
The nation's 11th such fatality is from the Inland area.
A 50-year-old Corona woman driving a 2001 Honda Civic was in a traffic collision in Riverside in September and died as a result of Takata air bags, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said last month.
As part of the recall, Honda dealers are making the repairs free to all owners. They also will offer free rentals or loaners to those who need temporary transportation.
"There aren't good reasons to not do it and a lot of reasons to get it done," said Chris Cochran, a spokesman with the state Office of Traffic Safety.
His agency is working with the California Highway Patrol, Department of Motor Vehicles and Bureau of Automotive Repair to get the word out.
Their efforts include printing information sheets for CHP officers who may contact affected car owners and putting up posters at CHP and DMV offices.
For example, if a car owner visits a CHP office to deal with a citation or child safety seat inspection, officers will offer to check their safety recall status and give them with the recall information, Cochran said.
Honda is using vehicle registration information to track down addresses and phone numbers of car owners, Honda spokesman Chris Martin said. They've mailed notices in English and Spanish, made automated and live calls, emailed and texted customers when possible, he said. They've also put ads on Facebook, Martin said.
There are many reasons why some people haven't responded, he said.
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