Honda, which has been producing automobiles and motorcycles for a worldwide clientele since 1963, has issued five recalls over the past few months. The models affected by this Honda recall include Accords, Acuras, Civics, Fits, HR-Vs, Insights, Odysseys, Passports and Pilots while the years of the models affected range from 2018-21.
2018-19 Accords, Acuras, Civics, Fits, HR-Vs and Insights
Accords, Acuras, Civics, Fits, HR-Vs and Insights from 2018 and 2019 have been affected by a faulty fuel pump recall, which was issued in June. This manufacturing defect is a particularly serious one as it sometimes results in the car’s fuel pump to unexpectedly stop working, which results in a stalled engine. This issue is especially worrisome as it could even occur when the driver is driving at a high rate of speed and would then need to calmly and carefully get off of the road in now-dangerous conditions, with potential to cause a car accident.
Note that of the 1.4 million vehicles that have been recalled for this issue, 135,000 were sold in the United States.
2019-20 Odysseys
The issue with 2019-20 Odysseys, of which there are 212,000, is that water can seep into the mounting holes for the rear view camera. As a result, that camera may display a distorted image, or it may completely break down and not display anything at all. Either of these scenarios creates a potentially dangerous situation. However, if you have one of these vehicles, you can get your rear view camera replaced on Sept. 23 and in the days that follow.
2018-20 Odysseys
Another issue with 2019-20 Odysseys also affects 2018 models. In these vehicles, water could get into the sliding door outer handle cables. While this does not create an issue in normal weather conditions, when it gets cold, that water can then freeze and no longer allow secure latching of the sliding doors. These sliding doors can also be replaced from Sept. 23-on. A total of 324,000 vehicles are affected by this recall.
2018-20 Odysseys, 2019-20 Passports and 2019-21 Pilots
Dashboard functions on the 2018-20 Odysseys, 2019-20 Passports and 2019-21 Pilots are generally not working as intended either. This issue affects 608,000 vehicles. Faulty software is the culprit here; in some cases, it causes information related to the car’s gear position, engine oil light and speedometer to not show. This issue can also cause these displays to unexpectedly reboot at unplanned times. Another issue that sometimes results from this malfunctioning dashboard is the backup camera feed not showing.
Of course, this recall issue does not present as dangerous a situation as experiencing a stalled engine or losing your rear view camera display, but it is still something that should be fixed as soon as possible. You need to limit how much time you do not know how fast you’re going, what gear position you’re using and if you should change your oil. Note that you will need to have a dealer reprogram your software in order to get this issue fixed. You will not be able to download anything to do this yourself; an over-the-air fix is not available for this.
2019-20 Odysseys and Passports and 2019-21 Pilots
Rear view camera displays also don’t always work as intended in the 2019-20 Odysseys, 2019-20 Passports and 2019-21 Pilots. This is due to a bug in the related software, which has affected about 500,000 vehicles. In-car audio can also be affected by this issue. However, this Honda recall is something that can be fixed by the owner with an over-the-air solution. Conversely, if you would rather have it done for you, you can bring your car into a dealer to receive this fix that way.
As a result of these recalls, well more than a million potential defects are being repaired or will soon be repaired. If your vehicle is one of those mentioned in a Honda recall mentioned above, do get it taken care of right away if doing so is possible. If Honda has not yet made fixed parts and software available, make sure to take advantage of those offerings as soon as they are.
What to Do When Your Car Gets Recalled
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that, once it’s been determined that a recall is necessary and an associated report has been filed, manufacturers must contact registered owners and purchasers of those cars. This is usually done via first-class mail within a 60-day period with information gleaned from motor vehicle offices in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The letter that you receive from your manufacturer should provide you with all of the relevant details necessary to get this part of your car fixed or replaced. It should also inform you about when to get it taken care of, including the final date that you can get this issue resolved and still be covered under the recall, and how long this process should take. Lastly, contact information should be included for who to contact if you run into any issues in getting your car into the condition that it should have been in when you purchased it.
Regardless of the details related to any recall, you should never have to pay for any aspect of it.
How Do I Look Up a Recall?
If you have a vehicle that’s mentioned above or you do not but simply want to see if there have been any recalls for yours that you have not been notified for, you can always head to the NHTSA’s online tool for recalls for information. Simply enter your vehicle identification number (VIN), a 17-digit figure that’s specific to your car, and see what information comes up. To find your VIN, either check your registration card or look on the lower left portion of your windshield; you should generally be able to view this number through your windshield while sitting in the driver’s seat.
For those vehicles manufactured by Honda, you can also use its own online tool to view any safety recalls that have occurred over the past 15 years.
What Can Cause a Recall?
According to the NHTSA, the following issues can result in a recall: improperly deploying airbags, wiring issues that could lead to a fire, collapsing car jacks, malfunctioning accelerators, improperly deploying airbags, fuel systems that leak and steering equipment that do not work as intended. Simply put, if the NHTSA or the manufacturer itself has determined that a vehicle either does not meet motor vehicle safety standards or does but still poses a safety risk, a safety recall will be issued. Do note, however, that issues that result from a car’s normal wear and tear will not result in a recall.
What If It Cannot Be Repaired or Replaced?
If a manufacturer has determined that the faulty part cannot be repaired or replaced, you will receive a refund for your vehicle’s purchase price minus depreciation. This scenario is not a common one.
What If I Had Already Paid to Have a Honda Recall Issue Fixed?
If you have already paid to have an issue fixed that is related to a recall, you should be able to receive a refund on the cost of those repairs and, if applicable, replacement parts.
If you have been involved in an accident related to a defective condition that is being fixed by a Honda recall or another vehicle recall, consult our personal injury lawyers at the PM Law Firm for assistance.