The power window switches can catch fire, according to a Honda recall filing with NHTSA.
In an unusual statement issued Sunday over the Labor Day Weekend holiday, American Honda said the latest global Honda recalls would affect 80,111 CR-V vehicles from the 2006 model year in the U.S. to replace the power window master switch, which can catch fire. The Thailand-made switch is defective, which triggered a global recall. The recall appears to have been forced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which had opened an engineering analysis in the smoking switch problem after receiving customer complaints.
During the past year or so, Honda has issued more than 21 public statements about various safety defects and recalls in the U.S.
Concurrently Honda recalls 5,626 CR-Z vehicles from the 2011 model year in the U.S. that are equipped with manual transmissions. Honda wants to update the software that controls the hybrid electric motor since it can allow the hybrid to roll backwards even though the transmission is in drive.
The latest Honda recalls are part of much larger global quality problems that affect almost one million Honda vehicles with potential fatal safety defects, including the Honda Fit, which was already recalled in the U.S. Worse, Honda recalls during the last year show that Honda’s once vaunted reputation for manufacturing and design quality is in shambles.
The latest Honda recalls and quality problems come one month after Honda recalls for software problems that cause transmission failures of Accord, CR-V and Element models.
Toyota or rather the “Toyota Recall Effect” at a newly vigorous NHTSA was the big reason that 2010 was the second highest recall year on record. Three record fines imposed on Toyota by NHTSA for safety defect cover-ups put all automakers on notice to quickly identify and fix problems, setting the pace for another record recall year in 2011.
In December of 2010 American Honda recalled:
- 2010-11 Accord and 2011 Pilot vehicles in to prevent a potential front suspension failure
- 1998-2002 Passport SUVs for rear suspension failures
- 2007 and 2008 Honda Fit vehicles because of a bad headlight switch, which can case the low-beams to fail and possibly start a fire
During the rest of 2010 American Honda recalled:
- 2007 and 2008 model year Fit (and Jazz elsewhere) subcompacts for possible fires
- 2006 and 2007 Ridgeline pickup trucks after several of them caught fire
- 2004 through 2008 Acura TSX models for fires
- 2003 Accord models Civic models for rolling away because of a bad ignition switch
- 20003-2004 Element crossover vehicles for rolling away
- 2010 Accord Crosstour for front passenger airbags
- 2007-2008 Odyssey minivans Element crossovers for bad brakes
To be fair, Honda still tops the Consumer Reports survey on reliability. And Nissan – the other member of the Japanese Big Three — also recalled millions of vehicles globally during 2010.
But with all of the Japanese recalls, consideration of Detroit Three vehicles among potential buyers is rising. It is no longer a given – and it shouldn’t be – among shoppers, government safety officials or media that the Japanese are automotive quality leaders.
See also:
- Honda Recalls 1.5 Million Accord, CR-V and Element for Software Problem that Leads to Failed Auto Transmissions,
- Honda Recalls New Civic for Fuel Leaks in Latest Quality Gaffe,
- Honda Expands Airbag Recall to 833,000 Honda, Acura Models,
- Honda Recalls 2011 Odyssey Again. Window Glass Can Shatter,
- Honda Recalls Odyssey Minivan for Bad Windshield Wipers,
- Honda Recalls Civic Hybrid Models for Electrical Failures,
- American Honda Recalls 2009-2010 Fit Models for Stalling,
- American Honda Recalls 2010 Accord, CR-V Models for Stalling,
- Honda Recalls Accord, Pilot Models for Suspension Failures,
- Honda Passport SUVs Recalled for Wheels Falling Off,
- American Honda Recalls Fit for Headlight Failures
