Torrance, California – Jan. 8, 2018 – The American Honda Motor Co. recently announced a recall of 20 of its 2010, 2016 and 2017 model year Honda Fury motorcycles, due to concerns that some of their fuel tanks could leak, according to a defect report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

These fuel tanks could have come with the motorcycles as manufactured, or have been installed as replacement parts. These fuel tank parts went through “an improper manufacturing process” that could lead to a risk of fuel leakage.

There are only 20 such vehicles in the recall, of which only three are expected to have this defect. However, given the gravity of the risk involved, this could still be a significant issue for vehicle owners.

The Defect

The motorcycles listed in this small recall were determined based on sales records for parts, as the issue revolves around replacement parts for 2010 and 2016 bikes. For the 2017 models, the recall was for motorcycles that had the defective fuel tanks as original equipment.

Specifically, the manufacturing process in question did not provide the necessary welds around a bracket that holds the fuel tanks in place. As a consequence, natural road and engine vibrations could lead the tank to separate from the bracket, and potentially result in a fuel leak.

This increases the risk of fire because any leaked fuel in the presence of an ignition source may be set aflame, increasing risk of injury or damage to the vehicle.

Timeline of Events

On Sept. 22, 2017, Honda learned of the first occurrence of a fuel leak in the market, and another such issue arose slightly more than a month later on Oct. 24.

As a result, Honda launched an investigation into the cause of the leaks, spanning from November into December. That investigation found that a single day of fuel tank production saw a hiccup in the proper manufacturing process that led some tanks made that day to pass the final welding stage for stay brackets on affected tanks. As a result, they have a structural weakness which others do not possess.

The decision to push forward a formal recall was made Dec. 12, 2017, and as of that date, the company had already received two warranty claims for the defect. However, it had not received any field reports of injury or fire related to the issue.

The Solution

Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by Honda via both phone and mail and are asked to return their Fury motorcycles to a local authorized Honda Motorcycle dealer. There, the dealers will inspect the welding on the fuel tanks and determine whether the tanks need to be replaced. If so, that change will be conducted free of charge.

Notification of both owners and dealers began Dec. 14, 2017.

Torrance, Calif. – Nov. 30, 2017 – American Honda Motor Company has recalled more than 5,400 believed to contain defective right halfshafts, according to an internal defect information report submitted to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017 Honda Civic sedans produced between Aug. 30, 2017 and Sept. 30, 2017, as well as Honda Civic coupes that rolled off the assembly line between Aug. 10, 2017 and Oct. 3, 2017. The automaker is unsure how many of the vehicles referenced in the action are equipped with the defective parts.

The Defect

Affected models could be equipped with right halfshafts that did not receive proper heat treatment during production and are therefore not structurally sound. As a result, vehicle load and operational stress may fracture these components, leading to the immediate loss of motive power. Should this breakage occur while the vehicle is parked without the emergency brake engaged, it could roll away.

The defective halfshafts pose a serious hazard to owners. However, Honda has not received reports connecting the defect to any accidents or injuries as yet.

Timeline of Events

On Sept. 30, 2017, engineers at a Honda production facility conducted a post-assembly road test during which a new vehicle lost motive power due to the sudden fracture of the right halfshaft. The automaker immediately instituted a yard hold and launched an internal investigation into issue. Quality assurance personnel reviewed existing production processes and found that a parts supplier had used defective equipment to cool halfshafts following heat treatment. This oversight inhibited the parts’ structural integrity.

On Nov. 2, Honda decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall to address the issue. The vehicle manufacturer notified dealers Nov. 3.

The Solution

Honda has directed dealers to replace the halfshafts in affected models free of charge, according to an NHTSA recall acknowledgement document. The company intends to notify owners via first-class mail Dec. 15. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Honda customer service at (888) 234-2138. Callers should use the internal recall reference code K0E. Owners can also contact the NHTSA directly using its Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Torrance, Calif. – Nov. 22, 2017 – American Honda Motor Company has recalled approximately 800,000 vehicles that could potentially be equipped with defective seats, according to a company press release. The safety campaign affects 2011-2017 Honda Odyssey minivans. The automaker has not announced what percentage of the models referenced in the action actually contain the defective parts.

The Defect

Affected vehicles are believed to contain second-row outboard seats that do not properly latch after adjustment or removal. This poses a serious risk to occupants, as the seats may lurch forward suddenly when drivers apply the brakes, thus increasing the likelihood of injury. As of now, Honda has received 46 reports referencing injuries connected to the defective seating.

Timeline of Events

The automaker has not yet released details into the investigation that led to the recall.

The Solution

Honda engineers are in the process of developing a sustainable solution to the problem. In the meantime, the car company has published reference materials that show owners how to properly lock the back seats in place and mitigate the risks associated with the defect. A video displaying the same procedures will follow soon. Honda intends to notify vehicle owners via first-class mail in late December. Individuals in possession of the recalled vehicles who require more immediate help can call customer service personnel at (888) 234-2138. Owners can also contact the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration directly using the organizations’ toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Torrance, Calif. – July 19, 2017 – American Honda Motor Company has recalled dozens of vehicles possibly equipped with defective fuel feed and fuel purge hoses, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid sport utility vehicles manufactured between March 23 and May 8, 2017. The car company is unsure at this time what percentage of the vehicles named in the recall contain the defective components.

The Defect

Affected vehicles may come equipped with misrouted fuel feed and fuel purge hoses. As a result, vibrations from the engine may push the fuel feed hose against the breather pipe. This contact could, over time, damage the fuel feed and fuel purge hoses and lead to leaks. This increases the risk of an engine fire and endangers owners. However, Honda has not received reports of accidents or injuries related to the defect as of June 29.

Timeline of Events

Honda engineers discovered the misrouted fuel feed and fuel purge hoses during a routine quality check conducted June 7, 2017. The automaker immediately launched an internal investigation involving an evaluation of assembly processes and additional vehicle inspections. The inquiry concluded June 16. On June 29, Honda decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall. The car company contacted dealers a day later.

The Solution

Honda has directed dealers to evaluate the fuel feed and fuel purge hoses in affected vehicles and replace and reroute them if necessary, according to the NHTSA. Dealers are to make these repairs free of charge. Honda plans notify owners via first-class mail by July 31. Those who need more immediate assistance can contact Acura Client Relations at (888) 234-2138 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Torrance, California—July 14, 2017—In certain Honda vehicles, an issue with the battery sensor could lead to a risk of fire as the result of an electrical short. According to a Part 573 Safety Recall Report from Honda, submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration July 12, more than 1.1 million vehicles are potentially involved.

The Defect

The risk comes from the chance of moisture coming into contact with the affected vehicle batteries. If this happens, the battery could short out and subsequently cause a fire. The moisture could potentially enter the batteries, the report said, because of spaces in the battery sensor casing. All of the vehicles in this recall are Honda Accord types, with the model years ranging from 2013 to 2016.

Timeline of Events

• March to August, 2015: A chronology document, also filed with the NHTSA, said that the first claim related to this issue (a “thermal event” from under the car hood) surfaced in Canada on March 3, 2015. The following months saw the manufacturer attempt to counter the problem through temporary checks.
• June to July, 2016: The summer months of this year saw Honda implement a new design while also receiving reports of the defect in the U.S. for the first time, after previously hearing a claim from China.
• June 2017: The company decided to initiate a recall at this time. Though there have been no injuries or accidents associated with the issue to date, the car company has recorded four “thermal events” in the U.S. alone and several more worldwide.

The Resolution

The original dealer notification date was June 30, and owner notification will begin on July 31, as the report said. Depending on the condition of the battery sensor, the dealer may do a temporary or more final repair.

Torrance, Calif. – July 13, 2017 – American Honda Motor Company has recalled more than 24,000 vehicles possibly equipped with defective fuel feed fixtures, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2017 CRV sport utility vehicles produced between Nov. 10, 2016 and April 30, 2017. Honda is unsure what percentage of the models named in the recall actually contain the flawed features.

The Defect

The vehicles referenced in the campaign could contain fuel feed pipes fitted with incorrectly manufactured end-form connectors. These components, which link fuel feed pipes to fuel feed hoses, were fabricated using an incorrect die that compromises their connective capabilities. Consequently, these fixtures are liable to disconnect and cause fuel leaks, which pose a serious hazard to both drivers and passengers. However, Honda has yet to receive field reports connecting the defect to any injuries or accidents.

Timeline of Events

On May 1, 2017, Honda received one field report from the American market detailing an instance of fuel leakage in a 2017 CRV. Soon after reviewing the report, the car company launched an investigation, eventually connecting the leak to the Findlay, Ohio-based parts producer Sanoh America. The third-party manufacturer reviewed its production records and discovered that fuel feed end-form connectors shipped to Honda had been produced using improper die. On July 11, Honda personnel determined that the defective features presented a serious safety hazard to drivers and called for a voluntary recall. The automaker notified dealers three days later.

As of July 11, Honda had received seven warranty claims and four field reports related to the defect.

The Solution

Honda directed dealers to replace the fuel feed pipes and related fixtures in affected vehicles free of charge, according to an internal communication submitted to the NHTSA. The car company is expected to notify owners via first-class mail Aug. 25. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Honda Customer Relations at (800) 999-1009 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.

Torrance, Calif. – June 23, 2017 – Honda has recalled nearly 4,000 minivans with potentially faulty seat belt assemblies, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign affects 2018 Honda Odyssey models produced between May 9, 2017 and June 1, 2017. The car maker is unsure what percentage of the vehicles named in the recall actually contain the defective seat belt system.

The Defect

The models mentioned in the recall could contain seat belt assemblies for third-row passenger seating with mismatched tongues. Specifically, center seat belt fixtures might come equipped with tongues made for outer seat belts. In this instance, passengers would not be able to secure their seat belts, increasing their chances of suffering injuries in the event of a crash. However, Honda has not received reports of any injuries connected to this defect.

The defective seat belt assemblies are in violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208, which dictates that car companies offer proper passenger protection.

Timeline of Events

On May 31, 2017, Honda received a field report for a vehicle in the American market that featured non-functioning third-row center seat belts. The car maker launched an investigation soon after, which revealed that the center seat belt fixtures contained tongues designed for outer seat belts, making it impossible for passengers to securely fasten themselves. Honda closed out the internal inquiry June 22, determining that the defect violated FMVSS 208 and required immediate action. The organization initiated a non-compliance safety recall.

Dealers received notification June 23, according to the NHTSA.

The Solution

Honda has ordered dealers to replace the third-row seat belt assemblies in affected vehicles, free of charge. Owners should expect to receive notification July 24. Those in need of more immediate assistance can contact Honda customer service or call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at (888) 327-4236.