Does Honda replace airbags for free?

Yes. Honda will replace airbags at no charge when the repair is prompted by a safety recall or a covered warranty repair. If the issue isn’t part of a recall or under warranty, you may be responsible for costs unless a goodwill policy applies at the dealership.

Airbags are a critical safety feature, and manufacturers like Honda are required to repair or replace defective inflators or modules under government recalls. This article explains when Honda will replace airbags for free, how recalls work, and what owners should do to verify coverage and get service.

What counts as a free airbag replacement

In the United States, the following circumstances typically qualify for a free airbag replacement under Honda's policies:

• Official safety recalls that require airbag replacement or module replacement.


• Warranty-covered airbag repairs or replacements for components still within the original warranty period.


• Extended recall or coverage programs that provide free replacement regardless of vehicle age or mileage.


• Repairs performed at authorized Honda dealers or service providers under mandated recall work, with no out-of-pocket cost to the owner.

Bottom line: recall-related replacements and warranty-covered repairs are usually free for the owner. Regions outside the United States may have similar protections, but owners should verify with their local dealer and review the official recall notices for exact terms and timelines.

How Honda handles recalls

When Honda issues a recall, it collaborates with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the U.S. or the relevant safety authorities in other markets. Dealers are obligated to perform the recall repair, parts are provided at no cost, and labor is covered under the recall campaign. If your car is part of a recall, you can expect a no-cost fix, typically scheduled through a Honda or dealership service department.

To avoid delays, owners should respond promptly to recall notices, book an appointment at an authorized dealer, and keep documentation of the service in case proof of coverage is requested.

Steps to check if your Honda has a free airbag replacement

Before taking your car in for service, use official channels to confirm whether a recall affects your VIN and whether the airbag replacement is free. Here are the steps:

• Look up your VIN on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's SaferCar.gov recall tool to see if there are active recalls for airbags.


• Visit Honda's official recalls page or your regional Honda site and enter your VIN to pull up any recalls or campaigns specific to your vehicle.


• Contact your local Honda dealer or service center to confirm coverage, schedule an appointment, and confirm that the repair will be performed at no charge.


• Keep all recall notices, appointment confirmations, and service invoices as proof of coverage.

If your vehicle is not listed in a recall, the dealer may still perform an airbag replacement if a warranty is in effect or if Honda offers a goodwill gesture—though this is not guaranteed and varies by case and region.

What to expect at the service visit

When a recall or warranty applies, the dealer will replace the airbag assembly or inflator with a new part, at no cost, and the service is typically scheduled as a standard appointment. Depending on the work, the process may require the vehicle to be in the shop for several hours and could include related system checks or software updates.

Owners should verify the scope of the replacement and whether any related safety items (e.g., seat belt pretensioners, other airbags) are included in the campaign.

Summary

Overall, Honda provides free airbag replacement when the repair is mandated by a safety recall or covered under warranty. The surest way to confirm is to check the VIN against official recall databases and contact an authorized Honda dealer. If the car is not part of a recall or under warranty, costs may apply, though goodwill accommodations can be possible in some cases depending on region and dealership policy.

What Honda models are being recalled for faulty airbags?

Honda has multiple airbag recalls, primarily related to the long-standing Takata airbag inflator recall and newer recalls for front passenger seat weight sensors and Takata "Alpha" airbags. Recall lists vary by year, model, and the specific defect, with affected vehicles including a wide range of Honda and Acura models from roughly 2001 through 2022. The only way to know if a specific vehicle is affected is to check its VIN on Honda's recall website or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. 
Examples of affected models and years

• Takata "Alpha" airbag recall: Primarily affects 2001-2003 Honda and Acura vehicles, specifically those with the "Alpha" designation. 
• Front passenger seat sensor recall: Includes 2020-2022 Honda Accord, Civic, CR-V, HR-V, Odyssey, and Pilot, and 2020-2022 Acura RDX and 2020-2021 Acura TLX models. 
• Takata inflator recall: A long-running recall affecting many models over a wide range of years. Examples include: 
  • Honda: 2001-2011 Civic, 2002-2011 CR-V, 2011-2015 CR-Z, 2003-2011 Element 
  • Acura: 2003-2006 MDX, 2007-2016 RDX, 2005-2012 RL 

How to check for your specific vehicle

• Use your VIN: This is the most accurate method to determine if your specific vehicle is included in any recall. 
• Visit the official website: Check the Honda Recall website or the NHTSA website and enter your vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). 
• Contact a dealer: You can also call an authorized Honda dealer and provide them with your VIN to check for open recalls. 

Important: Some recalls are more dangerous than others. If your vehicle is affected, especially by a Takata "Alpha" airbag recall, it is recommended to stop driving it and have it repaired immediately, according to Honda Newsroom.

Is it worth fixing a car with airbags deployed?

It is worth fixing a car with deployed airbags only if the repair cost is less than a certain percentage of the vehicle's value, which is determined by an insurance adjuster. Factors like the car's age, overall damage, and the total repair cost are key considerations, as airbag replacement is expensive and can quickly lead to the car being declared a total loss. 
When it is likely not worth fixing

• The car is older: If the car's pre-accident value is low, the high cost of airbag replacement can easily make repairs exceed the value threshold for a total loss. 
• The repair cost is high: Airbag replacement can be expensive, costing thousands of dollars, and if there is other significant damage (like a bent frame), the total repair cost can far exceed the vehicle's value. 
• The vehicle is declared a total loss: In most states, if repairs exceed 75% of the car's pre-accident value, the vehicle is considered totaled. A car with deployed airbags can easily cross this threshold. 

When it may be worth fixing

• The car is newer and valuable: A newer car with a higher pre-accident value is more likely to be worth repairing, even with deployed airbags, as the repair cost will be a smaller percentage of its total value. 
• The damage is not severe: If the impact was just enough to trigger the airbags and there is minimal other damage, fixing it may be feasible and cost-effective. 
• The repair cost is within limits: If the total repair estimate, including the airbags, is significantly less than 75% of the car's value, it is likely worth fixing. 

What to do

• Get an official assessment: Have an insurance adjuster assess the total damage and get a professional estimate for repairs. 
• Understand the totaling threshold: Find out what percentage of the car's value is the threshold for a total loss in your state. 
• Decide based on the estimate: Compare the total repair cost to the car's value to make a decision. If it is deemed repairable, proceed with the necessary repairs. 

Does Honda replace the airbag for free?

This safety defect can KILL or seriously injure you or your passengers. All safety recall repairs are FREE at authorized Acura and Honda dealers. We have replacement parts for ALL recalled Acura and Honda models.

Does the Honda dealership replace airbags?

Repair Your Recalled Car or Airbag at our Service Center
At our dealership's service center, safety is our top concern. So, if you contact us in response to a recall or airbag issue, we'll get you scheduled as soon as possible for a repair at our state-of-the-art facility.