Honda will recall about 344,000 Odysseys and 68,000 Elements in the US from 2007 and 2008 model years to fix the “vehicle stability assist modulator” after receiving customer complaints about “brake pedals that feel ‘soft’ or that gradually exhibit a pedal height that gets lower (closer to the floor) before the vehicle stops.”
The problem is due to some of the parts allowing air to get in, and it gets worse over time. A Honda spokesman told the Associated Press that if left unrepaired it could cause loss of braking power. He added that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reports of three crashes with minor injuries but no deaths.
The wife and daughter of US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid were badly injured last week in a highway crash, when their Odyssey reportedly began braking in stop and go traffic and was rear ended by tractor trailer. However, the said Odyssey is a 2005 model, and probably did not suffer from the same problem stated for the recall.
On the issue, Honda Malaysia clarifies that the VSA related recall for the Odyssey DOES NOT concern units sold in Malaysia, saying that the affected models were manufactured in the US, which have different basic structures to those manufactured in Japan, where our Odysseys come from. Basically, the US Odyssey and JDM model are different cars using the same name.
Full press statement by Honda Malaysia is available after the jump. Petaling Jaya, 17 March 2010 – Honda Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (Honda Malaysia or the Company) clarifies that the recent recall related to possible defective vehicle stability assist (VSA) in Odyssey and Element 2007 YM and 2008 YM, does not concern units sold in Malaysia.
The recall was issued due to the lack of VSA modulator air tightness in the affected models. Possible reaction that could arise from this condition involves air suction into the modulator circuit, where air would gradually remain in the brake circuit. In more severe condition, the brake pedal free play would increase gradually, and braking distance would become longer.
The Company however highlighted that the affected models were principally manufactured in the US, which have different basic structures as compared to those that were manufactured in Japan.
“Odysseys sold in Malaysia are originally manufactured in Japan, which have different structures as compared to those manufactured in the US. Therefore, the units sold in Malaysia are not affected. Our customers need not to worry,” assured Mr. Toru Takahashi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
The Company further added that there was no report of direct incident caused by the possible product defect.
Odyssey sold in Malaysia not affected by recent recall in overseas
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Banyak nye kereta Honda kena panggil…Apa sudah jadi ni??
They're just trying to instill the 'Challenging Spirit' into their Odyssey and Element buyers la. :-)
It's a very bad year for the Japs…
interesting coz in toyota and this h odyssey involve software not parts failure. so all new high end cars have potential to fail?
inb4 first.
read in lowyat news saying a feng shui master say this yr will have lots of lawsuit. hm… good luck, honda. You're lucky this is Malaysia where you have godlike tier status. But you'll need it in USA.
Those Recon Honda Lagreat might be affected (USD ODC)?
My friend calls it "Kereta Mayat" hahaha… Honda Mayat to be exact… So it is expected that you should be careful driving one or else you'd turn into "mayat". Keep on recalling T & H…
Most of time when there's a recall of vehicles around the world, Malaysia's often claims not involved. Were those imported brand vehicles in Malaysia specially produced?
AK-47…
The recalling only effected those Honda yg produced di US la..
Yang JDM a.k.a. made from japan not affected.
Looks like a case of "Better Safe Than Sorry" for Honda. Doesnt seem to be a good year for Japanese car manufacturers.
Toyota gas pedal (non Prius models) & floor mat recalls also seem to involve parts made in USA… hmmm (Prius seem to be a software problem)
Asian made parts "which have different structure" (as quoted from the press release above) seem to be OK. Does this mean that US made parts lack quality control or have poor design structure?
Both toyota and honda fight for the rate of recall…see who win..lol..
Both toyota and honda fight for the rate of recall..see who win..lol.
AK47 said,
March 17, 2010 @ 12:07 pm
Most of time when there’s a recall of vehicles around the world, Malaysia’s often claims not involved. Were those imported brand vehicles in Malaysia specially produced?
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i keep asking myself the same question again and again almost every time T/H/N doing international recall since 10 years ago…….. maybe T/H/N only CBU or CKD the best model in the world with the best facilities in the world and the best labor in the whole world for malaysia market only, which explain why our market so immune with worldwide recall.
most of japan car in malaysia are jdm model …
i soooooooooooo proud proton and perodua haven't made any recall whatsoever…
they have 0% defact :) *sarcasm*sarcasm*
maybe Toru dont want to take responsibility since so complaining from Malaysia region. if the recall happens in Malaysia, for sure Honda sale will drop instantaneously..
Hmm..have we all ever wonder these recall fiesta in US for the Japs brand (first Toyota then Honda then Mitsubishi what would be next?) might be a conspiracy or an act sabotage? Seems that US automakers were badly affected by the economy downturn and fuel price crisis in 2007-09 and many Americans turn their interest to Asian cars which are cheaper, lower running cost, lower fuel consumption and the list goes on…Perhaps these are somekinda conspiracy to bring back US automakers back on track since US govt bail-out policy doesn't seem helping their companies to recover. Even the 9-11 tragedy was mooted as a conspiracy..
King samurai:- make sense. this conspiracy surely boost up their GM sales.
King Samurai said,
March 17, 2010 @ 3:05 pm
Hmm..have we all ever wonder these recall fiesta in US for the Japs brand (first Toyota then Honda then Mitsubishi what would be next?) might be a conspiracy or an act sabotage? Seems that US automakers were badly affected by the economy downturn and fuel price crisis in 2007-09 and many Americans turn their interest to Asian cars which are cheaper, lower running cost, lower fuel consumption and the list goes on…Perhaps these are somekinda conspiracy to bring back US automakers back on track since US govt bail-out policy doesn’t seem helping their companies to recover. Even the 9-11 tragedy was mooted as a conspiracy..
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If it's a conspiracy to help their automakers, there are other less obvious ways. It's probably a case of too much problems swept under the rug until the rug couldn't hold no more. Besides, American car companies have faced crises before and they almost always bounce back.
Truth is the American's problem is that they make cars for their market only and expect other people from other countries to swallow whatever they produce, whereas other car companies don't. Take a look at a Honda Civic in America & the UK and you'll see a different car made to suit the locale. Take a look at a GM model offered in America and in the UK. They don't even bother to convert it into right hand drive!
This US version of ODC looks so ugly. Looks like Trajet to me. The one we have here has better look.
Just wondering with all these recalls and everything, what did their QC department doing when these units were released? This is not suppose to be the case because each company should be having standards that should be followed even prior to the execution of a plan. Also, there suppose to be an extensive checking prior to release. Even if its good that companies are doing checks here and there, this should not be the case in the first place.
Next recall by Honda will be 1 million vehicle world wide due to uncertain CV joint quality made by HM. Few years back they shut up the victim in UK by a whopping 13million ringgit. Get ready.
At least Toyota & Honda have done a good job & responsible for their defects..
sayapdewa said,
March 17, 2010 @ 4:54 pm
King samurai:- make sense. this conspiracy surely boost up their GM sales.
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Don't think its a conspiracy. Base on Paul article Honda had this problem from 2007 and after engineer validate it, they decided to recall. I do agree Honda quality is fast declining especially which rolls out from HM. Its infamous untightened bolt and CV joint issue is well understood.
recall issues are not new in US.. almost every year there's a recall from any manufacturer.. i do not know why such thing does not apply to ASEAN countries..
Again Msia Boleh Land will not involve in recall from Honda too..
S9E said,
March 17, 2010 @ 5:28 pm
This US version of ODC looks so ugly. Looks like Trajet to me. The one we have here has better look.
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Its more practical …ie bigger & wt sliding door. Function over form, ours JDM's version looks sleeker but not as practical.
btw, its a ppl mover….functionality is more important, if looks is the priority…choose suv/sedan/hatchbck/sportscar
test said,
March 17, 2010 @ 1:48 pm
i soooooooooooo proud proton and perodua haven’t made any recall whatsoever…
they have 0% defact :) *sarcasm*sarcasm*
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WRONG! last time proton recalled savvy for rear wheel bearing problem, proton also recalled waja sport rims for the cracking problem, they also recalled the wheel jack.
if perodua yes! they never recall as long as i know. brke caliper problems is the infamous one. fix many times still the problems persist. this is very dangerous. anyway what is been recalled by T and H is involving someone LIFE, so they have to be recalled. honda power window problem that can catch in fire need to be recalled because can cause fire. proton power window since it begin to happen until now never catch in fire. this is the different of seriousness between proton trivial many problems and H and T dangerous few problems.
for those who has never been in depth with automotive industries, recalling is a normal process to matter when or where. this is why there is a service centre set up by franchise holders/dealer principals.
i am in direct contact with auto industries for 16 years. even Alfa Romeo in Malaysia, back in 1996 did a recall for its early batch 146ti to change its airbag ECU after a few number of cases where the front airbags deployed by itself. imagine… you are driving at 60kph and out of sudden the airbg bursts!!!