RecallNotify
Sign up Check my VIN
Home/ Recalls/ Honda/ 18V268
Campaign 18V268 Posted April 26, 2018 1,335 units

2001-2013 Honda Multi-Model Recall 18V268: Air Bag Install

RN
Reviewed by the RecallNotify editorial team
Published May 25, 2026

Recall 18V268 covers 1,335 select 2001-2013 Honda vehicles with incorrectly installed passenger air bags. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.

Honda is recalling 1,335 2001-2013 vehicles, including Accord, Civic, and Pilot models, under recall 18V268 because the front passenger air bag was installed incorrectly during replacement. In a crash, the air bag can deploy improperly and increase injury risk; Honda dealers will complete the repair free of charge.

Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?

The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.

Check my VIN at NHTSA

RecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.

What's wrong?

The front passenger air bag inflator module is part of the passenger-side frontal air bag system in 2001-2013 Honda vehicles including Accord, Civic, Cr-V, Element, Odyssey, Pilot, Fit, Ridgeline, Accord Crosstour, and Insight. In a frontal crash, the inflator releases gas that fills the passenger air bag so it can help protect the person in the front seat. The module has to sit and connect correctly for the air bag to deploy as designed.

On these vehicles, Honda says the front passenger air bag was installed incorrectly during a previous replacement. The issue is tied to passenger air bag inflator kits used in dealer repair work. If the replacement was not installed the way Honda intended, the passenger air bag system is not in its correct repaired condition.

There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to hear, smell, or feel this problem during normal driving, so the VIN check and Honda dealer inspection decide whether the repair applies.

Who's affected?

Covers 10 Honda nameplates across 2001-2013, all tied to the passenger-side front air bag inflator module.

2005 Honda Accord front air bag
2004 Honda Accord front air bag
2003 Honda Accord front air bag
2004 Honda Civic front air bag
2003 Honda Civic front air bag
Units affected1,335

The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.

What's the safety risk?

An incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag can deploy improperly in a crash, increasing injury risk. Because there is no listed warning sign, do not rely on lights or symptoms to judge this recall. Confirm whether your VIN is included and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.

What should I do?

  1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2001-2013 Honda Accord, Civic, Cr-V, Element, Odyssey, Pilot, Fit, Ridgeline, Accord Crosstour, or Insight is included in this recall.
  2. Contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the free inspection and passenger frontal air bag module replacement when the inspection finds an incorrect installation.
  3. Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one, and reference recall number 18V268 when you call.
  4. Drive cautiously until the dealer completes the inspection or repair; an incorrectly installed passenger frontal air bag can deploy improperly in a crash.
  5. Call Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138 with questions and ask whether Honda recall K1P or M1O applies to your VIN.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Honda technician inspects the passenger frontal air bag module assembly and replaces it if the inspection shows it was installed incorrectly during the earlier replacement. Parts and labor are covered under the recall, so the dealer repair is free now. Honda lists a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for a related repair before the recall notice. For a claim, keep the repair invoice and proof of payment ready and contact Honda customer service.

ReimbursementReimbursement available

Timeline

April 26, 2018 NHTSA published the recall
April 27, 2018 Dealer notification began
June 22, 2018 Owner notification mailed
June 22, 2018 Interim owner notification (was planned for this date)
November 23, 2018 VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.

Frequently asked questions

What is recall 18V268?

Recall 18V268 covers 1,335 2001-2013 Honda vehicles with a front passenger air bag module that was installed incorrectly during replacement. An incorrect installation can make the air bag deploy improperly in a crash, increasing injury risk. Honda dealers inspect and, if needed, replace the module for free.

What should I do if my 2001-2013 Honda Accord, Civic, Cr-V, Element, Odyssey, Pilot, Fit, Ridgeline, Accord Crosstour, or Insight is on this recall?

Check your VIN to confirm your specific Honda is included in recall 18V268. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the passenger frontal air bag module inspection. Reference recall 18V268 or Honda recall numbers K1P and M1O when you call.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Federal recall law requires the recall repair at no cost, and Honda's remedy says dealers will inspect and, if needed, replace the passenger frontal air bag module assembly free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at a franchised Honda dealer.

Is it safe to drive before the air bag inspection?

The recall does not say to stop driving, but the defect affects crash protection for the front passenger seat. An incorrectly installed air bag can deploy improperly in a crash. Until the inspection is complete, schedule service promptly and ask the dealer whether passenger-seat use needs special guidance.

What if I bought this Honda used?

The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you never received Honda's June 22, 2018 recall notice, check your VIN and call a franchised Honda dealer with recall 18V268 to confirm the inspection and repair path.

More information

NHTSA campaign pagenhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V268000
Honda customer service1-888-234-2138
NHTSA recall #18V268
NHTSA recall # (full)18V268000

Source documents

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 →