Recall 18V662 covers 57,095 2010-2014 Honda Ridgeline, Element, and Rl vehicles for exploding passenger air bag inflators. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
Honda is recalling 57,095 2010-2014 Ridgeline, Element, and Rl vehicles because certain frontal air bag inflators can explode after long-term exposure to heat, humidity, and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture can send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, and Honda dealers will replace the inflator free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal airbag inflator in affected 2010-2014 Ridgeline, Element, and Rl vehicles sits inside the passenger frontal airbag module. In a crash, the inflator is supposed to create gas fast enough to fill the airbag and cushion the passenger. The module depends on controlled pressure inside the inflator, not an uncontrolled burst.
The recalled Takata inflators use PSAN-based propellant without a moisture-absorbing desiccant. After long-term exposure to higher humidity, heat, and temperature cycling, that propellant degrades. If the airbag deploys, the degraded propellant can burn too aggressively, rupture the inflator, and make it explode instead of inflating the airbag in a controlled way.
Owners will not feel this problem during normal driving. There is no dashboard light, noise, smell, or handling change tied to the inflator defect. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Spans 3 model lines across the 2010-2014 model years, all tied to the front passenger air bag inflator module.
| 2012 Honda Ridgeline | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2011 Honda Ridgeline | front air bag |
| 2010 Honda Element | front air bag |
| 2010 Acura Rl | front air bag |
| 2011 Acura Rl | front air bag |
| 2013 Honda Ridgeline | front air bag |
| 2011 Honda Element | front air bag |
| 2014 Honda Ridgeline | front air bag |
| 2012 Acura Rl | front air bag |
| 2010 Honda Ridgeline | front air bag |
| Units affected | 57,095 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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 exploding passenger frontal air bag inflator can send sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. If your VIN is included, schedule the inflator replacement promptly and avoid delaying the repair. Repair is free at any franchised Honda dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2014 Honda Ridgeline, Element, or Rl is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the free passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement that addresses the inflator explosion risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Honda mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V662 when you call.
- Ask Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138 about vehicle-specific questions before your appointment.
- Limit passenger front seat use until the repair is complete, since an inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments into the cabin.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Honda technician replaces the passenger frontal air bag inflator covered by recall 18V662. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. The service visit centers on removing the affected inflator from the passenger frontal air bag module and installing the replacement inflator. Honda has a general reimbursement plan on file. If you already paid for this related repair before the recall notice, contact Honda customer service with your repair documentation.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| September 27, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 28, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| September 28, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 6, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 13, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 13, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V662?
Recall 18V662 covers 57,095 2010-2014 Honda Ridgeline, Element, and Rl vehicles with passenger frontal air bag inflators that can explode after long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature cycling. Honda dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2014 Honda Ridgeline, Element, or Rl is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V662. If it is, contact a franchised Honda dealer to schedule the passenger frontal air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall number 18V662 and Honda recall numbers H2H and S2I when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost, and Honda will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator free of charge at a franchised Honda dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an inflator explosion during air bag deployment. Sharp metal fragments can strike the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. The repair path is to have the passenger frontal air bag inflator replaced for free by a franchised Honda dealer.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, then call a franchised Honda dealer and reference recall 18V662, H2H, and S2I.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V662000 |
|---|---|
| Honda customer service | 1-888-234-2138 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V662 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V662000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (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 →