Honda Recalls Hundreds of Thousands of Odyssey Vans Due to Airbag Defect

American Honda Motor Co. is initiating a recall of approximately 440,830 model year 2018-2022 Honda Odyssey vehicles due to a defect in the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU). According to information submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the SRS ECU may contain incorrect deployment parameters for the side and side curtain airbags. This could lead to inadvertent deployment when the vehicle experiences significant road impacts, such as driving over potholes, speed bumps, or road debris. The recall affects vehicles produced between January 24, 2017, and June 03, 2022.

The safety risk associated with this defect is an increased possibility of injury. If the side and side curtain airbags deploy unexpectedly, occupants could be harmed. The cause of this issue has been identified as insufficient deployment threshold margin in the SRS control logic for the second and third rows. This can result in G-signal inputs being misinterpreted as side impacts, triggering the airbags to deploy when not necessary. Honda has received 130 warranty claims and 25 reports of injuries related to this issue since January 24, 2017. No deaths have been reported.

The manufacturing process for the affected SRS units was handled by DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc. The involved components include specific SRS UNIT part numbers: 77960-THR-A020-M2, 77960-THR-A120-M2, and 77960-THR-A220-M2.

Honda’s investigation into this matter began on November 15, 2017, when the company was first notified of an incident. The investigation and analysis continued through February 21, 2021. In July 2021, Honda’s internal examination concluded that certain road conditions could lead to the second and third-row airbag deployment thresholds being met, causing inadvertent deployment. However, on October 27, 2021, Honda initially determined there were no safety concerns. A preliminary evaluation request was received from NHTSA on October 28, 2025, prompting further study by Honda. By January 22, 2026, Honda responded to NHTSA’s request, and following additional market data analysis in March 2026, the company concluded on April 2, 2026, that a defect affecting motor vehicle safety did exist, leading to the decision to conduct this recall.

The remedy for this recall involves a repair. Honda will notify registered owners by mail, instructing them to take their vehicles to an authorized Honda dealer. At the dealership, the SRS ECU will be reprogrammed or replaced with units that feature improved airbag deployment parameters. The improved components have updated deployment logic designed to prevent inadvertent activation. The production of vehicles with the corrected SRS ECU began on June 3, 2022, coinciding with the start of the 2023 model year.

Owners of affected vehicles are advised by Honda not to drive their vehicles and to park them outside until the repair is completed. Honda is utilizing a general reimbursement plan on file for any expenses incurred by owners that may be eligible. Dealer notification regarding the recall is scheduled to begin and conclude on or about April 10, 2026. Owner notification is scheduled to commence and finish on or about May 25, 2026, with a phased recall implementation. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) will become searchable on the NHTSA website on a date to be announced.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from American Honda Motor Co. and NHTSA

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