Honda recalls nearly 350k Odyssey minivans over unintended braking

Sun, 03 Nov 2013

A problem reported with the Vehicle Safety Assist System has prompted Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a recall for Odyssey minivans from the 2007 and 2008 model years.

The issue revolves around a combination of parts and software that have been reported to cause the vehicle to brake hard and unexpectedly, without illuminating the brake lights. Imagine driving behind one of these vehicles when the malfunction occurs and you can easily understand how an unexpected rear-end collision could ensue.

Unfortunately, Honda won't be able to fix the problem until next spring, at which point the manufacturer will call in the 344,187 units affected into their local dealership for a fix. In the meantime, Honda will instruct owners on how to avoid the situation. For further details, see the full recall notice below.

RECALL Subject : Brakes may Unexpectedly Apply , 1 INVESTIGATION(S)

Report Receipt Date: NOV 01, 2013
NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V500000
Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 344,187

All Products Associated with this Recall
Details:
Manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

SUMMARY:
American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Honda Odyssey vehicles manufactured August 8, 2006, through September 8, 2008. Due to a combination of system components and software, the Vehicle Safety Assist System (VSA) may apply the brakes unexpectedly.

CONSEQUENCE:
The vehicle may suddenly and unexpectedly brake hard, and without illuminating the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash from behind.

REMEDY:
Parts to remedy these vehicles will not be available until the spring of 2014. Honda will send owners an interim letter notifying them of the issue and instruct them how to prevent unintended braking. A second notification will be sent when the parts become available. Interim notification is expected to begin in early December 2013. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Honda's recall number is JC5.

NOTES:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

By Noah Joseph