It said it would have full stock availability for Takata driver airbag inflators by mid-August but is unable to say when the passenger side inflators would arrive. It pointed out that the driver and passenger side inflators for Jazz Hybrid 2012 Model Year is currently not available.
Apart from pushing Takata to hasten the supply of parts, the Japanese car maker said it is also sourcing parts from alternative suppliers such as Daicel, Autoliv and TRW. Honda has been facing the shortage of the critical airbag parts globally since May.
"Honda Malaysia will take every possible measure to ensure the replacement parts become promptly available so that our customers’ vehicles can be repaired as soon as possible," the car maker said in a statement.
The free replacement also applies to parallel imported Honda vehicles.
On servicing capacity, Honda Malaysia said it is adopting the following strategy:
> Reduce the Preventive Maintenance Service Schedule (maintenance service) intake starting 20th July 2016 at our dealers to 50% in order to increase the capacity for airbag inflator replacement. As priority is being given to airbag inflator replacement, there is a possibility that the normal preventive maintenance service might not be met. Honda Malaysia, in such cases, will extend the maintenance period and reflect accordingly in the warranty period of the cars.
> Open three temporary central hubs to further increase capacity for airbag inflator replacement. These hubs will operate 7 days a week to provide additional centres for airbag inflator replacement, helping alleviate limited dealer capacities for airbag inflator replacement activity, and also to provide storage for the required parts. The locations of the Central Hubs will be announced soon.
> Open mobile hubs nationwide to make it more convenient for customers to reach servicing venues and to ensure faster and easier airbag inflator replacement process. The locations and details of these mobile hubs will be announced soon.
"Honda Malaysia will continue our best efforts to improve our stock level as soon as possible for the replacement. The company plans to inform our customers when the parts availability outlook becomes much clearer."
To show that it has done its due diligence, Honda Malaysia said it has undertaken the following measures to reach the owners of vehicles affected by the recalls:
> Mailing more than 240,000 letters to owners.
> Advertising campaign and issued press releases to notify the public.
> Notice on its website, and made available VIN (chassis number) search of affected vehicles on www.honda.com.my
> Outreach campaigns at all on-ground activities and roadshows.
> Sending email to more than 35,000 owners.
> Blasting SMS to more than 126,000 customers.
> Share information about the recall in Honda’s ‘With Dreams’ magazine.
> Phone calls to customers - calls made to more than 2,000 customers.
Honda customers can always check their vehicles recall status either by logging on to www.honda.com.my or www.productrecall.honda.com.my or by calling the Honda Toll Free number 1-800-88-2020.
