CLOSE

Montana will get nearly $975,000 as part of a $58 million multi-state settlement with Honda over claims the company concealed defects in front airbag systems in some Honda and Acura vehicles, Attorney General Tim Fox said Wednesday.

Motor Co. Inc. and Honda of America Mfg. Inc. had used systems made by Takata Corp. a long-time supplier, and were installed in Honda vehicles in the 2001 model year, Fox said.

The settlement, reached between the attorneys general of 48 states, territories, and the District of Columbia and Honda, ends an investigation into Honda’s alleged failure to inform regulators and consumers that the airbags posed a significant risk of rupture, which could cause metal fragments to fly into the passenger compartments of many Honda and Acura vehicles, Fox said.

The ruptures have resulted in at least 14 deaths and over 200 injuries in the United States alone, he said.

Honda, according to the Associated Press, released a statement that the "now-bankrupt airbag inflator supplier, Takata, pleaded guilty in 2017 to federal criminal fraud charges for deceiving Honda and other automakers about the safety of its airbags.

“Under the terms of these civil settlements, Honda does not acknowledge any wrongdoing,” the company said.

Honda has recalled nearly 12.9 million Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the defective inflators since 2008, the Associated Press reported.

“This settlement makes it clear that manufacturers will be held responsible for preventing dangerous products or components from entering the stream of commerce,” Fox said. 

He encourages Montanans who own Hondas or Acuras to check to see if their vehicles are under recall.

Honda has agreed to take steps to ensure that future airbag designs include “fail-safe” features to protect passengers in the event the inflator ruptures, Fox said.

Honda also agreed to pay $85,151,210.15, of which Montana’s share is about $975,000.

The settlement money will go to the state's Office of Consumer Protection for operational expenses, as well as consumer outreach and education purposes, officials said.  

Montanans who own a Honda or Acura vehicle are encouraged to visit Honda’s airbag recall website, or call its Customer Service toll-free 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.  All safety recall repairs are FREE at authorized Honda dealers.  Consumers can also contact the Montana Department of Justice’s Office of Consumer Protection at (800) 481-6896 or (406) 444-4500, or visit https://ift.tt/32vRDlV.

This story contains information from the Associated Press and Tribune Staff Writer Phil Drake.

Read or Share this story: https://ift.tt/34Hb1zr