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Honda Odyssey side airbags may deploy without a crash

NHTSA campaign 26V227000 · Reported 2026-04-09 · Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

high How serious is it? About this label

Serious: an airbag going off with no warning and no crash can injure people in the vehicle, and although the notice does not tell owners to stop driving, this repair should be scheduled right away.

What's wrong, in plain English

A programming mistake in the computer that controls the airbags can make the side airbags and the curtain airbags along the windows go off when they should not, with no crash happening. An airbag that fires unexpectedly can injure whoever is sitting next to it. Dealers will reload the software in the airbag control computer, or replace that computer if reloading is not enough, free of charge. Honda mailed letters to affected owners on May 27, 2026.

What you should do

1. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm your Odyssey is affected. 2. Contact your Honda dealer to book the airbag computer reprogramming, or call Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138, recall number UNW. 3. The software update or replacement computer is free of charge.

Affected vehicles (5)

2018 Honda Odyssey
2019 Honda Odyssey
2020 Honda Odyssey
2021 Honda Odyssey
2022 Honda Odyssey

Who to contact

Honda — official Honda recall lookup

Customer service: 1-888-234-2138

Any franchised dealer for the brand can do the repair. Phone numbers are taken from manufacturer sites and recent NHTSA notices; if one has changed, the number in your own recall letter is the one to use.

The bigger picture

Why do Honda airbags deploy without a crash or fail? · all 4 Honda recalls in this area

Official notice

Component: AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
Summary: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Odyssey vehicles. A software programming error can cause the side and side curtain air bags to deploy unexpectedly.
Safety risk: Air bags that deploy unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ECU) software or replace the ECU, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is UNW. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 16, 2026. The information in your report suggests that Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) may have been aware of this issue more than five business days before filing a report with NHTSA. Please be reminded that under Federal law, this agency is to be notified of all safety defect and/or noncompliance decisions within five business days. 49 CFR 573.6 Significant civil penalties can be assessed for this violation.

Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.