Another Honda Recall

[brims]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100316/ap_on_...us_honda_recall

 

DETROIT – Honda Motor Co. will recall more than 410,000 Odyssey minivans and Element small trucks because of braking system problems that could make it tougher to stop the vehicle if not repaired.

 

The recall includes 344,000 Odysseys and 68,000 Elements from the 2007 and 2008 model years.

 

Honda said in a statement that over time, brake pedals can feel "soft" and must be pressed closer to the floor to stop the vehicles. Left unrepaired, the problem could cause loss of braking power and possibly a crash, Honda spokesman Chris Martin said.

 

"It's definitely not operating the way it should, and it's safety systems, so it brings it to the recall status," he said.

 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported three crashes due to the problem with minor injuries and no deaths, Martin said. Honda notified NHTSA of the recall on Monday, he said.

 

Honda has traced the problem to the device that powers the electronic stability control system, which selectively brakes each of the wheels to keep the vehicles upright during an emergency situation.

 

When the device, called a "vehicle stability assist modulator," tests itself when the vehicles are started, it allows a small amount of air into the hydraulic brake lines. Over time, an air bubble in the lines can cause a loss of braking power and require that the pedal be pushed farther toward the floor than normal to stop the vehicles, Martin said.

 

"Although not all vehicles being recalled are affected by this issue, we are recalling all possible units to assure all customers that their vehicles will perform correctly," Honda said in a statement.

 

Under the recall, which Honda said it volunteered to do, Honda said that owners should wait to get a letter from the company before scheduling a repair because the parts are not yet available. Letters should go out toward the end of April.

 

Drivers who fear that they've lost braking power should have their dealer check the brakes sooner, Martin said. The dealer can "bleed" air bubbles out of the hydraulic lines, which should fix the problem until the parts arrive for the final repair, he said.

 

Honda technicians will put plastic caps and sealant over two small holes in the device to stop the air from getting in, Martin said.

 

The automaker is still preparing a list of affected vehicles. After April 19, owners can determine if their vehicles are being recalled by going to http://www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (800) 999-1009, and selecting option number four.

 

Letting air into the pressure side of the hydraulic brake system. Good move.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Japanese quality engineering at its finest as usual!

[Jim67]

 

It's all just more gov't conspiracy and media hype to bring down the foreign competition. After all, they are all infallible and not capable of screwing up.

 

 

This is a non-issue as it has only affected 3 vehicles out of 410,000. Surely Ford's are much worse, why no recall for them?

 

 

/sarcasm

 

[kawtoy_77]

 

 

Japanese quality engineering at its finest as usual!

I would still take a Japanese motorcycle anyday, before being forced to ride an overhyped, overweight, and overSLOW american motorcycle. I just don't feel that the trucks the japanese make are worth a crap.

[Matt_]

Japanese quality engineering at its finest as usual!

I would still take a Japanese motorcycle anyday before being forced to ride an overhyped, overweaight, and overSLOW american motorcycle. I just don't feel that the trucks they make are worth a crap.

 

 

i miss my Honda VTX 1800F =(

[C. Charles Hahn]

Japanese quality engineering at its finest as usual!

I would still take a Japanese motorcycle anyday, before being forced to ride an overhyped, overweight, and overSLOW american motorcycle. I just don't feel that the trucks the japanese make are worth a crap.

 

 

Granted, the Japanese do know how to build bikes. They just don't know how to build anything else.

[springfield]

I know everyone on this site loves their GM truck.. as do I. I came from a GM family. I just do want to say that Honda has a fairly large presence in the U.S. For the last twenty years, Honda has had an R&D facility, Design facility as well as several production plants for auto, motor cycle and power equipment in the United States. Many americans research, design, test and produce products for Honda. There are also countless american suppliers that supply parts to Honda, Toyota, Nissian and I am sure the list goes on. I am in agreement that they are not an American company, just saying a lot of Americans depend on these companies....Just a thought.

[Matt_]

^^^^ good point!

 

when i went to the SAE World Congress in Detroit, every Honda engineer I met was a red blooded American citizen.

[kawtoy_77]

Japanese quality engineering at its finest as usual!

I would still take a Japanese motorcycle anyday, before being forced to ride an overhyped, overweight, and overSLOW american motorcycle. I just don't feel that the trucks the japanese make are worth a crap.

 

 

Granted, the Japanese do know how to build bikes. They just don't know how to build anything else.

 

thats basically all I was sayin' I have 3 Kawasakis, and my fiance has 1.

[ColoradoSkiCountry]

Despite how many R&D, auto plants and other branches of the foreign automakers they may stick in the USA the fact of the matter remains, They are NOT American companies. I want my money going to AMERICAN companies. PERIOD END OF SENTENCE. If you have a problem with that... TOO BAD!

[springfield]

I agree with your statement that they are not AMERICAN companies. I was only stating the facts. Take the Honda Element for example( one of many). It was designed in Torance California, developed in Raymond Ohio and built in East Liberty Ohio. Oh yeah, I also think the transmission was built near Russels Point Ohio, not sure about the engine though. Seems to me like a lot of American influence.

[qwikz74]

 

Granted, the Japanese do know how to build bikes. They just don't know how to build anything else.

 

 

Your kidding right?

[ryan_hermanutz]

But what about American companies that outsources work to other countries and put their money in overseas bank accounts to avoid taxes. Are those American companies?

[qwikz74]

I work for Honda Of Canada and springfield is right,Honda might aswell be an American company nowadays.

Everything is designed,tested and built on North American soil.Honda employes way more people them GM does.

 

Honestly some of you's kill me.GM built garbage for decades,even Bob Lutz admitted that yet your still very patriotic to them.People these day demand alot for there money and to be honest American car's are junk,even the one being built today.If Honda built a full framed truck with a V8 and a rear drive you can bet your bottem dollar i'd be driving one.

 

Dont knock the Japs for building what Detroit couldnt.Flame me all you want but there is a reason why foreign made cars weather Asian or German out number American cars on the roads.I know alot of people who use to be "die hard American" guys including my dad,once they jumped ship they vowed never to go back.

 

Sorry fella's but other then building somewhat decent trucks and some cars,GM,Ford and Chrysler still build crappy car's

[brims]

Seems that the citizens of this country are at fault for letting all these non-American companies sell their trash here and everything.

 

Despite how many R&D, auto plants and other branches of the foreign automakers they may stick in the USA the fact of the matter remains, They are NOT American companies. I want my money going to AMERICAN companies. PERIOD END OF SENTENCE. If you have a problem with that... TOO BAD!

 

Exactly, they are a Japanese company, traded on the Nikkei.

 

I work for Honda Of Canada and springfield is right,Honda might aswell be an American company nowadays.

Everything is designed,tested and built on North American soil.Honda employes way more people them GM does.

 

Honestly some of you's kill me.GM built garbage for decades,even Bob Lutz admitted that yet your still very patriotic to them.People these day demand alot for there money and to be honest American car's are junk,even the one being built today.If Honda built a full framed truck with a V8 and a rear drive you can bet your bottem dollar i'd be driving one.

 

Dont knock the Japs for building what Detroit couldnt.Flame me all you want but there is a reason why foreign made cars weather Asian or German out number American cars on the roads.I know alot of people who use to be "die hard American" guys including my dad,once they jumped ship they vowed never to go back.

 

Sorry fella's but other then building somewhat decent trucks and some cars,GM,Ford and Chrysler still build crappy car's

 

Maybe you should be in one of those Ridgelines or something since American cars are junk and Honda is so great. GM built cars that weren't crap before, I'll give you that, doesn't mean they still are building junk. The Japanese companies have taken that trophy back.

 

These Toyota, Honda, Nissan lovers that are on GM forums crack me up.

 

But as we can see, the Jap builders are building crap now, so saying American car companies build junk is a complete joke.

 

And if these are "somewhat decent trucks" all the more reason to sell your GM and go buy a Ridgeline and stop bitching.