1999 - Honda - Civic - Hatchback on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Honda updates Takata airbag recall status for some models

The net enveloping vehicles in the Takata airbag inflator recall just seems to keep widening. Honda is now updating its previous campaign to revise the status for even more models that were ever registered in (or originally sold in) 13 high-humidity US states and territories.
All of these vehicles were included in the company's earlier repairs. However, at the time this fix was titled "a safety improvement campaign." This latest action upgrades that condition to "a formal recall," according to Honda's official statement. The models include: the 2003-2005 Honda Accord, 2001-2005 Civic (pictured above), 2002-2005 CR-V, 2003-2004 Element, 2002-2004 Odyssey, 2003-2005 Pilot, 2006 Ridgeline, 2003-2005 Acura MDX and the 2005 Acura RL. All of these need to have their passenger-side, front airbag inflator replaced, and the recall affects Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Saipan, Guam and American Samoa.
As with the rest of these affected vehicles, it's possible in a collision for the inflator to rupture spraying metal shrapnel at occupants. There are at least 139 injuries attributed to this problem from a variety of automakers so far. Among this latest population of vehicles, Honda says there have been no confirmed injuries or fatalities related to these exploding inflators.

Honda production knocked offline by ransomware cyberattack

Honda has suspended automobile and motorcycle production at several facilities around the globe due to a suspected ransomware cyberattack. According to reports in Japan, domestic production is back online and shipments are flowing out of its Japanese plants. Facilities in Ohio, where popular models like the Accord and CR-V are produced along with the Acura ILX, TSX and NSX, as well as those in Turkey, India and Brazil are reportedly still offline. "On Sunday, June 7, Honda experienced a disruption in its computer network that has caused a loss of connectivity, thus impacting our business operations," Honda said in a statement. "Our information technology team is working quickly to assess the situation." The suspected attack affected Honda’s production globally starting on Monday, forcing some plants to stop operations as the company needed to ensure that its quality control systems were not compromised. In addition, the automaker confirmed via Twitter that its Customer Service and Financial Services are currently unavailable. At this time Honda Customer Service and Honda Financial Services are experiencing technical difficulties and are unavailable. We are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience and understanding. — Honda Automobile Customer Service (@HondaCustSvc) June 8, 2020 The Telegraph (subscription required) in the UK reports that Honda's servers were infected with the EKANS (that's snake spelled backwards) malware, which encrypts data until payment is made to the attackers, who then provide the decryption key. Related Video:

Toyota Camry to go turbo

As automakers strive to meet regulations, turbocharging is rapidly becoming the norm whether looking at pickups, sports cars or family sedans. However, Toyota remains a stalwart to the changing tide, and for the time being a trip into one of the brand's dealers shows nary a hint of forced induction – probably not for long, though. With models like the Lexus NX 200t and forthcoming IS 200t pointing the way, a big shift is afoot for one of the Japanese automaker's most popular products. Obviously, Toyota is no stranger to forced induction for performance applications like the turbocharged models of the Supra and MR2 in the '90s. But rather than reducing lap times, the latest application is more about improving emissions and fuel economy. According to Automotive News, the Camry is getting a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder in the near future as a replacement for its V6 engine option. The 3.5-liter six currently in the venerable sedan already makes 268 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque, versus 235 hp and 258 lb-ft in the NX 200t or 241 hp and 258 lb-ft in the IS from the new four. The base four-cylinder also might receive some upgrades. It could grow larger and run on the Atkinson cycle to find improvements, according to Automotive News. There might be a move towards CVTs, as well. Toyota is hardly alone in the shift towards forced induction. Honda is known to have a 1.5-liter turbo mill on the way for the next-gen Civic. In addition, that engine might find its way into the Accord and CR-V as well, according to Automotive News. Among the major Japanese automakers, only Nissan is taking a more measured approach towards forced induction in mainstream models. Rather than going all-in on turbos, the company is expected to shift more of its engines to direct injection to go after fuel economy gains.