Recall 20V027 covers 875,966 2000-2003 Acura vehicles for defective replacement driver air bag inflators. Free repair at a franchised Acura dealer once available.
Acura is recalling 875,966 2000-2003 Mdx, Cl, Odyssey, Rl, Cr-V, Civic, Tl, and Accord vehicles under recall 20V027 because a replacement driver frontal air bag inflator can absorb moisture. In a crash, the inflator can rupture or the air bag can underinflate, increasing the risk of serious injury or death; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The driver frontal air bag module is the air bag assembly in the steering wheel. Its inflator is the metal canister that produces gas to fill the cushion during a crash, so the cushion reaches the driver at the right force and shape.
On affected 2000-2003 Acura vehicles, the concern is a replacement driver frontal air bag module installed during a prior repair. The Takata Non-Azide Driver inflator in that replacement part has an aluminum tape seal that does not keep moisture out as designed. Moisture inside the inflator changes how the propellant burns, which can make the air bag deploy too slowly, underinflate the cushion, or rupture the inflator.
There is no warning sign before failure. The vehicle can drive normally until a crash calls for the driver air bag, so the VIN and repair history matter more than what you notice from the driver's seat.
Who's affected?
Covers 8 model lines across the 2000-2003 model years, all tied to the driver-side front air bag inflator module.
| 2002 Acura Mdx | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2001 Acura Mdx | front air bag |
| 2002 Acura Cl | front air bag |
| 2001 Honda Odyssey | front air bag |
| 2000 Honda Odyssey | front air bag |
| 2002 Acura Rl | front air bag |
| 2000 Acura Rl | front air bag |
| 2000 Honda Cr-V | front air bag |
| 2000 Honda Civic | front air bag |
| 2001 Acura Cl | front air bag |
| 2003 Acura Rl | front air bag |
| 2001 Acura Rl | front air bag |
| 2001 Acura Tl | front air bag |
| 2000 Acura Tl | front air bag |
| 2001 Honda Cr-V | front air bag |
| 2000 Honda Accord | front air bag |
| Units affected | 875,966 |
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?
In a crash that requires air bag deployment, the inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward the driver or passengers. The air bag cushion can also underinflate and fail to protect the occupant, increasing the risk of serious injury or death. Repair will be free at any franchised Acura dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2000-2003 Acura Mdx, Cl, Odyssey, Rl, Cr-V, Civic, Tl, or Accord is included in this recall.
- Watch for the owner letter Acura mailed on October 1, 2020, or use your VIN result if you did not receive the letter.
- Contact a franchised Acura dealer and ask about inspection for the replacement driver frontal air bag inflator.
- Reference recall number 20V027 when you call, and bring the recall notice if you have it.
- Ask the dealer about the free inflator replacement that fixes the moisture-damaged driver frontal air bag inflator risk.
What happens at the repair
Once the final repair opens, an Acura technician will inspect the air bags and replace the driver frontal air bag inflator with a different design when the inspection calls for it. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under recall 20V027. Until Acura confirms the remedy path for your VIN, use the recall appointment to ask whether your vehicle received a replacement driver frontal air bag module during an earlier repair and whether the inflator inspection applies.
Timeline
| January 17, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 21, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| January 21, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 9, 2020 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| March 9, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| October 1, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V027?
Recall 20V027 covers 875,966 2000-2003 Acura Mdx, Cl, Odyssey, Rl, Cr-V, Civic, Tl, and Accord vehicles with replacement driver frontal air bag modules. The replacement NADI inflator can rupture or leave the air bag cushion underinflated in a crash. Acura dealers inspect the air bag and replace the driver frontal inflator for free when needed.
What should I do if my 2000-2003 Acura Mdx, Cl, Odyssey, Rl, Cr-V, Civic, Tl, or Accord is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V027. If it is, contact a franchised Acura dealer and ask for the driver frontal air bag inspection. Reference recall number 20V027 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Acura dealers will inspect the driver frontal air bag and replace the inflator with a different design when needed, free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is serious injury or death in a crash that needs driver air bag deployment. The inflator can rupture and send metal fragments toward occupants, or the air bag cushion can underinflate and fail to protect the driver properly.
What if I bought this vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received Acura's owner letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your vehicle is included, then call a franchised Acura dealer with recall number 20V027.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V027000 |
|---|---|
| Acura customer service | 1-888-234-2138 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V027 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V027000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- 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 Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →