Recall 18V041 affects 24,945 2009-2013 Acura Rl, Ridgeline, and Element vehicles for exploding passenger air bag inflators. Repair is free at any franchised Acura dealer.
Acura is recalling 24,945 2009-2013 Rl, Ridgeline, and Element vehicles in specified registration zones because frontal air bag inflators can explode after long-term humidity and temperature exposure. An inflator rupture can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or passengers, risking serious injury or death, and Acura dealers will replace the affected inflators free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger's frontal air bag inflator in 2009-2013 Acura Rl, Ridgeline, and Element vehicles is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash, it burns a chemical charge to create gas, so the air bag can fill in front of the passenger.
In NHTSA campaign 18V041, the problem is the Takata non-desiccated PSAN inflator. Non-desiccated means the inflator does not use a drying material to control moisture inside the part. After long exposure to high humidity, high heat, and temperature cycling, the propellant degrades. If the air bag deploys with degraded propellant, the inflator can rupture instead of filling the air bag as designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. The inflator problem is inside the air bag module, so the vehicle can look and drive normally before a crash deployment.
Who's affected?
Spans 3 model lines across 5 model years, all tied to the front passenger air bag inflator.
| 2011 Acura Rl | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2013 Honda Ridgeline | front air bag |
| 2012 Acura Rl | front air bag |
| 2011 Honda Element | front air bag |
| 2012 Honda Ridgeline | front air bag |
| 2011 Honda Ridgeline | front air bag |
| 2010 Honda Element | front air bag |
| 2010 Acura Rl | front air bag |
| 2010 Honda Ridgeline | front air bag |
| 2009 Honda Element | front air bag |
| 2009 Acura Rl | front air bag |
| 2009 Honda Ridgeline | front air bag |
| Units affected | 24,945 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
NHTSA campaign 18V041 describes an exploding passenger frontal air bag inflator that can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, with a risk of serious injury or death. The recall does not identify a warning sign before rupture, so schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Acura dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2009-2013 Acura Rl, Ridgeline, or Element is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Acura dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement that addresses the inflator explosion and metal-fragment injury risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V041 when you call.
- Ask Acura customer service at 1-888-234-2138 if the dealer needs help confirming parts or repair instructions.
- Limit front-passenger use until the inflator replacement is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Acura technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag inflator. The new inflator is installed free under recall 18V041, with parts and labor covered. The remedy has been open since February 16, 2018, so an included VIN can be scheduled through an Acura dealer. If you already paid for a related passenger frontal air bag inflator repair before the recall notice, ask Honda customer service or the dealer service desk about the reimbursement plan on file and bring repair documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 9, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 10, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| February 12, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| February 12, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| February 16, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V041?
Recall 18V041 covers 24,945 2009-2013 Acura Rl, Ridgeline, and Element vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode after long-term heat and humidity exposure. Sharp metal fragments can strike occupants, causing serious injury or death. The dealer repair is free.
What should I do if my 2009-2013 Acura Rl, Ridgeline, or Element is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V041. If it is, contact a franchised Acura dealer and schedule the passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall number 18V041 and Acura recall numbers U0H and G0I when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Acura's recall remedy says dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Acura dealer, regardless of where you bought the vehicle.
What is the safety risk?
The passenger frontal air bag inflator can explode and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin. Recall 18V041 ties that defect to serious injury or death for the driver or other occupants. Check your VIN, then schedule the free inflator replacement if your vehicle is included.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Ownership history does not decide whether recall 18V041 covers your vehicle. Your VIN does. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Acura dealer with recall number 18V041 if the vehicle is included.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V041000 |
|---|---|
| Acura customer service | 1-888-234-2138 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V041 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V041000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →