Honda, decades ago, recalled every vehicle it had sold in the U.S for corrosion problems. It started the Japanese company on quality initiatives that eventually made it a leader.
Honda will recall 35,984 Passport SUVs sold in the United States from model years 1998-2002 to inspect the rear suspension lower trailing links.
The forward mounting bracket for the left or right rear suspension lower link may suffer excessive corrosion leading to a failure of the suspension, increasing the risk of a crash, on what was a re-badged, Isuzu supplied vehicle.
A small number of incidents – less than 40 so far, but nonetheless serious to those involved – have been reported related to the defect.
No injuries have resulted, according to Honda.
The safety recall is limited to the “salt belt” states where road salt is commonly used: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Washington D.C.
Critics of such restricted recalls contend that vehicles sold or transferred into warmer weather states could also put occupants at risk.
Honda wants all owners of the affected vehicles to take their Passport to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall. The lower trailing link frame brackets will be inspected for corrosion, and if necessary, repaired. Notification to customers begins on December 17, 2010.
Owners of these vehicles can determine if their vehicle requires inspection by going on line or calling Honda. Honda owners can go to www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009, and select option 4.
