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Honda Minivans Recalled for Braking Malfunction

brake image

Honda Motor Company recently announced that it is voluntarily recalling more than 344,000 2007 and 2008 model year Odyssey minivans.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a malfunction in the vehicle’s stability control software could prevent the braking system from calibrating properly. This could cause pressure to build to the point that the vehicle unexpectedly and suddenly brakes hard without illuminating the brake lights, thus increasing the risk of a rear-end collision.

The NHTSA says that the problem could cause a quick reduction of speed by as much as 30 mph. To date, Honda says that it is unaware of any crashes or injuries as a result of the problem.

The solution is as simple as replacing a sensor. Unfortunately, the new sensors will not be available to consumers until next spring, according to Honda. Odyssey owners will be notified by mail of steps to take to avoid the problem as they wait for the sensors to arrive. Honda plans to mail letters beginning in December. Once the sensors are available, minivan owners will be notified that they can take their vehicle to an authorized Honda dealership for a free repair.

In the meantime, Honda advised customers to start their minivans with the wheels facing straight ahead, which will allow the system to calibrate correctly. Customers who experience the unexpected braking should stop and restart the vehicle. Tapping on the brake pedal should stop the self-braking action, according to Honda.

The NHTSA initiated an investigation into the problem in June and received 22 reports of the problem.

Consumers may contact Honda at 800-999-1009 with questions about the recall. The recall number is JC5. Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 800-424-9153) or visit http://www.safercar.gov.

Earlier in the year, Honda recalled more than 225,000 vehicles due to an unrelated brake problem, according to a report a money.ccn.com. That recall included about 59,000 Odysseys from model years 2012 and 2013. In January, Honda announced a recall of nearly 750,000 Odyssey minivans and Pilot SUVs because of problems with their airbags.

Vehicles today are much safer than in the past, but too many still have defects that can cause serious injuries and fatal crashes. Not all defects are identified by the manufacturer or regulatory authorities for recalls. If you or a loved one has been injured in an automobile accident and you suspect a defect was a factor, please contact the Florida vehicle accident attorneys at The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic.

Our accident lawyers conduct thorough investigations and work with recognized experts when automotive defects cause serious injury or death. The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic has obtained substantial compensation for our clients in north Florida and south Georgia.