Honda recalls 528,000 vehicles over brake fluid leak issue

Honda recalls 528,000 vehicles over brake fluid leak issue

Last week, Toyota recalled 1.53 million Lexus and Toyota models to replace a brake master cylinder that can slowly leak out brake fluid. Turns out that fellow Japanese carmaker Honda uses the same supplier for the affected component – it has recalled 528,000 vehicles worldwide including 470,000 units in the US. Affected models are the 2005-07 Acura RL and 2005-07 Honda Odyssey. The latter is not the same MPV as the one sold here despite the same name.

The internal rubber seal of the brake master cylinder, which is supplied by Advics Co. Ltd. in Japan, can leak out brake fluid to the brake booster, resulting in illumination of the brake warning lamp. This problem arises when non original brake fluid is used. The genuine brake fluid contains polymers that act as lubricant, something that non genuine brake fluid don’t have or have only in small amounts.

Honda says that there’s no safety issue here. “It will result in the brake fluid light illuminating before there is any loss of brake system performance. Although one brake circuit could gradually lose performance due to this cause, there would be no effect on the other brake circuit,” a company spokesperson said. Honda will replace the master cylinder seal in all affected cars, and if leaking has already started, the brake booster as well.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Why US market always affacted?

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  • another recall….

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  • alamak on Oct 25, 2010 at 1:34 pm

    is this the ‘recall’ virus spreading around the world?

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  • bangi the great on Oct 25, 2010 at 1:43 pm

    Proton only recall few thousand cars…..not as bad as Honda

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  • satekj38 on Oct 25, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    I think nowaday this “recall” thing has became a “trend” for car manufacturers to do

    it is in a way is a “free advertisement” for them…

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  • Vincent on Oct 25, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    Will it affected Malaysia honda?

    In bolehland, it is known that our accord is having reaking system issue..when they going to recall it and replace with good unit?

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  • 1.53million!!!..another LOSER…

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  • mirror mirror on Oct 25, 2010 at 3:21 pm

    It is commendable that the Japanese companies are willing to own up to their problems in order to move forward quickly.

    When the Japanese bubbles burst in the early 90’s, all their financial institutions and large corporations swept their problems underneath the carpet and hoped that everything will magically disappear. At the end all they get was almost 20 and still counting years of dismal growth which is now painfully known as the Lost Decades.

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    • PakAbu on Oct 26, 2010 at 9:44 am

      I read somewhere on the Net, can’t remember where’s the article already…. this “Japan’s economy is bad” mantra is advocated by economists that view DEFLATION == BAD ECONOMY.

      The author argues that, how can Japan’s economy be bad when they have:

      (1) Very LOW UNEMPLOYMENT percentage for a very long time even when their economy is said to be in bad shape
      (2) Good health coverage for everyone
      (3) Surplus trade with China & others

      Can’t remember the rest of the details. But basically Japan’s economy has matured. Like wise for Germany. They are just not growing and roaring like they used to.

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  • Izhar on Oct 25, 2010 at 3:23 pm

    better used o-ring oilseal that can suit with all brake fluid….
    why must used “original from ………” brake fluid????
    what if we stay so far from service centre and need to top up the brake fluid???
    do high polimer brake fluid make the car brake more better???or can used the brake fluid more longer???
    as i know, brake fluid must be flush every 15000km…so it is better used ordinary brake fluid…..
    maybe honda and toyota need to order form other supplier…..
    don’t make this simple problem effect their name…..
    anyway honda and toyota stiil a good car….

    “xper…belajar dari kelemahan” (bukan untuk T & H sahaja, semua manufacture skali)

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  • scgtimk1 on Oct 25, 2010 at 3:42 pm

    This problem arises when non original brake fluid is used. The genuine brake fluid contains polymers that act as lubricant, something that non genuine brake fluid don’t have or have only in small amounts.

    BS statement from the Japs.

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  • reuben how on Oct 25, 2010 at 6:18 pm

    America has NHTSA National Highway and Transportation and Safety Administration to look after them. Europe has the European New Car Asssessment Program, Australia has the Australian New Car Assessment Program, Even Japan has its JNCAP,. Malaysia has monkeys sitting under a coconut tree. Sigh.

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    • learnerq on Oct 26, 2010 at 11:05 am

      means that H, T recall in US and Europe because they are forced to do that. in Malaysia because they are not forced so they can easily say not affected. very very very irresponsible companies. P1 that is not forced to do that also recall…..

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  • Ash Menon on Oct 26, 2010 at 12:15 am

    Honda Employee: “Taichou, those Toyota fellows issued another recall! Now they are leading the scoreboard!”

    Honda Boss: “Eh!? Dame desu! Issue another recall! 500k plus vehicles! We must not let Toyota win this race!”

    Nissan Employee: “wtf? whatever.”

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