Honda has announced the recall of 197,000 Accord, 117,000 Civic and 69,000 Element 2003-2004 model year vehicles in the US to fix the ignition interlock feature. Honda has received complaints that the ignition interlock has been failing. The ignition interlock mechanism can become damaged or worn during normal use resulting in the possibility of the ignition key being removed when the shift lever is not in Park. If the vehicle is not in park and the parking brake is not set, the vehicle could roll away, leading to a possible crash.
Honda will begin notifying owners in September 2010.
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PRESS RELEASE:
Statement by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Regarding Ignition Switch Interlock Mechanism Recall: 2003 Accord, Civic, 2003/2004 Element Vehicles
08/09/2010 – TORRANCE, Calif. –
Honda will recall approximately 197,000 Accord and 117,000 Civic vehicles from the 2003 model year and roughly 69,000 Element vehicles from the 2003 and 2004 model years in the U.S. to prevent a malfunction of the ignition interlock feature of these vehicles. Honda has received several complaints about such failures in these vehicles and is aware of a small number of related incidents, including one that resulted in a minor injury.
The ignition interlock mechanism can be damaged or worn during use. If this happens, it may become possible to remove the ignition key when the shift lever is not in Park. If the transmission is not in Park and the parking brake is not set, the vehicle could roll away, and a crash could occur.
Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of affected vehicles to take their vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification from Honda that their vehicle requires repair. Notification to customers will start in late September, 2010.
When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end, in addition to contacting customers by mail, after Sept. 20, 2010, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicle requires repair 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.
