Honda Recalls 1.4 Million Vehicles in Multiple Campaigns
On Tuesday, Honda announced a bevy of recalls encompassing more than 1.4 million automobiles sold in the United States. Split between several campaigns, the recalls encompass everything from dissolving driveshafts to bum window controls that could potentially result in a vehicle fire.
According to reports issued via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the first and most-pressing issue involves the 2002-2006 Honda CR-V. Crossovers introduced to moisture could see their power window switches failing. If sufficient moisture is applied to the wires, Honda stated that there is some risk of a “thermal event.” As of November, the automaker said it was aware of 87 such instances and 23 reported events of fire.
Next up is roughly 735,000 Accords from the 2018-2020 model years and Insights from 2019-2020. Honda said it needed to update the body control module software before it creates a series of bizarre headaches for the driver. Windshield wipers going haywire, flickering (or dead) exterior lighting, disabled defrosters, inoperable rear-view cameras, illuminated warning lights, and more make this a low-rent version of Tesla’s celebration mode. Unfortunately, the lack of predictability and potential for danger makes this an undesirable feature the manufacturer is hoping to fix with a software update (also starting January 18th).
The last recall is actually two separate campaigns dealing with corroding driveshafts on roughly 430,000 Acura and Honda vehicles. Road salt can cause the driveshaft to deteriorate, making the issue of particular concern to those driving in states with snowy winters. Honda thinks someone may have incorrectly cured protective coating during driveshaft installation.
Recalled models include the 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2007-2014 Honda Fit, 2013-2015 Acura ILX, and 2013 Acura ILX Hybrid. While the main issue is premature driveshaft wear, there’s supposed to be a chance of full-blown breakages. Honda recommended actually using the parking brake to prevent a roll-away risk. Sourcing the necessary replacement parts has forced the company to push the official recall back to the start of February.
Customers concerned their ride might be affected can always call Honda at 1-888-234-2138 or check out its recalls website. They can also utilize the NHTSA’s website for the same purpose. Just be sure to have your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) handy.
[Image: Anastasiia Moiseieva/Shutterstock]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
More by Matt Posky
Comments
Join the conversation
Interesting. I borrowed my neighbor's 2004 CRV to move a couple pieces of furniture one drizzly night and did get some moisture on the inside of the front door panels. I had to go windows down for fresh air since the tailgate wouldn't close. Afterwards, the passenger window wouldn't roll up. I had to jump it at the motor to get it closed. After confirming that the problem wasn't the passenger switch by swapping it around with the identical back one, I bought and installed a new main switch, with no success. I figured on a vehicle that old, one of the wires must have broken between the body and the door and left it at that for now. Hopefully this recall will fix it!
So, my 2012 Fit Sport is going to be recalled for "premature driveshaft wear, there’s supposed to be a chance of full-blown breakages." I've only got 21k miles on it, I don't even drive it in the rain (I know, I'm weird!), and salt is not an issue, so I wonder where that leaves me?! :-)