Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (HMSB) has announced major steps in accelerating the airbag recalls and replacement required following the sh#tstorm created by Takata. The main issues are low stock availability – acknowledged by HMSB themselves; which unfortunately they have little to no control over – and in a lesser degree, packed service centres.
Hence why the company started two additional initiatives to alleviate the latter:
1- Service Central Hubs
These consist of three temporary locations to increase the capacity of replacing recalled Takata airbag inflators. The hubs will be operational from 1st August 2016 to 30th September 2016 and operated every day (except public holidays) from 8am to 7pm. The locations are at:
| Northern hub |
No.401, Jalan Dato’ Keramat, 10150 Georgetown, Penang. (Next to S.M.J.K. Convent Dato’ Keramat School) |
| Central hub |
Soo & Sons Metal Works Sdn. Bhd. Lot 15 Jalan 13/6, Section 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. (Next to Columbia Asia Hospital) |
| Southern hub |
Oriental Assemblers Sdn. Bhd. 99 & 99A-C, Jalan Tampoi, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor. |
Customers can book their appointment with any of the Service Central Hubs by calling the Honda Toll Free number 1-800-88-2020. Due to the multiple recalls for both Takata driver and passenger front airbags inflators, it would be possible that one vehicle is recalled for both Takata airbag inflators replacement. In such a situation, the Takata driver front airbag inflator replacement will be prioritised based on parts availability and due to the low stock availability of Takata passenger front airbag inflator.
2- Mobile Hubs
Serving the same purpose of expanding the locations where Takata airbag inflator for recalled Honda vehicles can be replaced, the difference is that it also adds convenience for customers as its positive. A total of 24 mobile hubs will be set up at 21 selected Petron service stations; plus three Honda Family Road trip locations. It will be operational from 5th August to 25th September 2016 every Friday to Sunday at three different locations from 8am to 7pm.
Locations for the Mobile Hubs are as the following:
An additional measure HMSB has put in place for the convenience of customers is compensation for the loss of use of their vehicle. Customers only need to register themselves at www.productrecall.honda.com.my to get a RM50 compensation for every day they are without a car due to replacing the affected airbag.
Other details you need to know includes:
- The Service Central Hubs and Mobile Hubs are manned by trained Honda associates from the plant in Melaka.
- These teams will also be visiting used car dealers and see if any Honda cars sold there are also affected by the recall. If any are found, the inflators will be replaced before they are sold.
- Buyers of second hand Honda are advised to check whether their cars are also under the recall by keying in the vehicle chassis number (VIN) at www.productrecall.honda.com.my.
Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. continues to alert and inform customers of the importance of replacing the affected vehicles’ airbag inflators. Owners of Honda vehicles affected by airbag inflator product recall are advised to get their vehicles checked and parts replaced at any authorised Honda dealers as soon as possible.
