Despite an ongoing effort to replace faulty Takata airbag inflators, a significant number of affected Honda and Acura vehicles remain unrepaired. That's a problem because the rupture of an airbag inflator can propel metal fragments into vehicle occupants, possibly causing injury or death. To address the situation, Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have been stepping up recall efforts.
In addition to the traditional methods of delivering mailed notification letters, Honda has also increased its outreach through phone calls. In fact, automated direct telephone messages have proven to be one of the most effective tactics for encouraging owners to take action and repair their vehicles.
To reach a more targeted audience, Honda has employed a digital advertising campaign on Facebook. Its goal is to make it as easy as possible for owners of affected vehicles to get their inflators replaced. The company has partnered with Facebook's Custom Audiences feature, which allows it to match encrypted email addresses associated with recalled VIN numbers on the Honda database with Facebook UserIDs. Then, when a Honda driver logs into Facebook, they see an advertisement that specifically mentions their vehicle make and model.
This targeted approach has https://airbag-supply.com been incredibly effective. According to the automaker, as of March 9, 2016, Honda dealers have already completed approximately 169,000 inflator replacements. This figure includes the replacement of an estimated 20,000 inflators each day, nationwide.
As a further step, Honda and NHTSA are now targeting a subset of the inflators involved in the original recall. These so-called "Alpha" inflators, found in a small number of 2001 to 2003 Honda and Acura vehicles, have an especially high risk of rupturing during airbag deployment. To address this issue, Honda is urging all Alpha owners to get their vehicles repaired immediately.
The automaker has also been searching salvage yards across the country for recalled inflators, which it is hoping to purchase from owners and remove from the supply chain. It has also requested that major online auction sites stop the sale of these inflators.
Another aspect of Honda's strategy has been to encourage its own associates to spread the word about the recall. To do so, the company has provided employees with materials they can use to help their friends and family members understand the significance of the issue. This grassroots initiative has been successful and is being expanded.
With the eighth death attributed to a Takata inflator rupture, it's important for people to take this recall seriously. If you own an affected vehicle, it's imperative that you contact Grieco Honda and schedule an appointment to have your inflators replaced as soon as possible. Taking this action could save your life. Please visit our Honda dealership serving Lincoln for more information and to set up an appointment for your car's inflator repair. We look forward to seeing you at our Honda dealer!
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