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.

Torrance, Calif. – May 11, 2017 – American Honda Motor Company has recalled more than 1,400 sport utility vehicles with faulty certification labels, according to documentation filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. The campaign impacts Acura RDX and Honda CR-V models produced between April 3 and April 11, 2017. The automaker has yet to ascertain how many of the recalled vehicles contain these problematic markers.

The Defect
Affected models feature certification labels that can be altered using alcohol or other caustic solvents. Honda engineers traced the problem to improper labeling methods, which included the use of incompatible printing ribbons. While not safety hazards, these defective labels fail to comply with certification requirements established in section 567 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This portion of the regulatory document states that a certification label must be applied “in such a manner that it cannot be removed without destroying or defacing it.” Additionally, the regulations require labels to contain key information, including the vehicle identification number, manufacturer details and general specifications such as axle-weight rating.

Timeline of Events
On April 3, 2017, assembly personnel at an unnamed Honda production facility installed an incorrect printer ribbon in a certification labeling device. Days later, a crew member affixing labels to new vehicles noticed the mishap and performed a spot quality assurance check to test label strength. The employee was able to rub off the ink using alcohol. Then, on April 12, QA personnel performed a follow-up trial and confirmed that an incorrect printing ribbon had indeed been used. This lead to a more in-depth inquiry, which came to a close April 18. Honda officials confirmed that Acura RDX and Honda CR-V models with certification labels originating from the faulty device were non-compliant with FMVSS. The automaker then launched a voluntary recall campaign.

However, investigations continued. Despite the campaign initiation, QA teams had yet to understand the full scope of the problem. On May 11, after almost a month of review, Honda confirmed that the problem affected more than 1,400 vehicles, according to amended documentation filed with the NHTSA.

The Solution
Honda has ordered dealers to replace defective certification labels, free of charge. The company sent out owner notifications via mail May 22. Those in need of additional assistance are encouraged to contact the NHTSA.

Torrance, Calif. – Jan. 12, 2017 – Honda will conduct a recall of nearly 10,000 Ridgeline AWD vehicles after it became apparent that a particular defect allows moisture to build up and corrode rear-wheel sensors, ultimately threatening vehicle stability.

The Defect

The problem affects model year 2017 Ridgeline vehicles manufactured between April 1, 2016 and Aug. 11, 2016, according to documents compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. An error in a wiring connection joint underneath a drain hole in the truck bed allows moisture to seep in. This can come into contact with connection terminals, including speed terminals located at the rear wheels. If these cannot function, drivers may experience loss of control and could be at higher risk of crashing during operation.

Timeline of Events

• July 6, 2016 – Honda received its first warranty claim of a Ridgeline with a Malfunction Indicator Lamp Illumination.
• August. – October 2016 – Further investigation of the claim revealed that the problem may have been corroded wiring harnesses. Honda reached out to suppliers and confirmed that the design of the wiring connection did not match specifications. This was corrected in the production line. Meanwhile, additional review of the problem showed that an all-wheel drive system failure would initiate a fail-safe mode for safe operation.
• November 2016 – Honda later discovered that specific corrosion scenarios could cause sensor terminals to report nonexistent wheel slippage, resulting in stability problems. Honda determined that this merited a safety recall.

Resolution

Owners of all affected vehicles will be notified of the recall by mail, and will be asked to bring their vehicles to their nearest dealer for inspection. If necessary, all repairs will be completed, free of charge.

Torrance, Calif. — Sept. 30, 2016 — Some Honda vehicles could fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards guideline 108 – “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Assoc. Equipment.” The original acknowledgement, dated for Aug. 10, stated that some 2016 Honda Civic vehicles may potentially come with faulty lights.

The manufacturer reported the issue Jul. 8, and it could affect 11,846 2-door vehicles. In these autos, the source said, circuit board damage could affect the lights and make vehicles harder to see. All of the included vehicles were produced between Feb. 23 and May 20.

According to the Part 573 Safety Recall Report, the first vehicles with these issues were discovered May 24 as part of a vehicle quality check. The discovery led to the June 30 decision to conduct a recall, after circuit boards were possibly damaged in transit.

No specific signs for determining if the problem was present were listed. The remedy requires dealers to inspect Honda tail light assemblies. The report also said that there were no injuries related to this defect as of June 23.

The affected component comes from supplier Automotive Lighting LLC, based in Auburn Hills, Mich. Owner notification was scheduled Aug. 8, almost a full month after dealer notification on July 9. The report said that owners would be notified by mail if they were subject to this recall.

An instruction document from the manufacturer goes into greater detail about the procedures needed to repair the vehicles. Both the right and left taillight assemblies may be necessary for the remedy, depending on the specific case. The procedure will have dealers remove the trunk rear side trim panels to install either one or both taillights.