Honda Recalls About 500,000 Vehicles Due to Faulty Seat Belts
Honda has issued a recall of nearly a half-million cars because of a faulty seat belt issue. In its recall report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said due to a manufacturing issue, the front seat belts may not properly latch and could increase the risk of injury in an accident.
What is the Issue?
The driver and front passenger seat buckle channels were manufactured out of specification. When this happens, it can cause interference between the release button and the buckle channel. Over time, the surface coating of the buckle channel may deteriorate, and the release button may shrink against the channel, preventing the strap from latching correctly. If the buckle does not latch properly, the driver and front occupant may not be restrained during a collision.
What Vehicles are Impacted?
The recall covers some of Honda’s top-selling vehicles, including the following model years:
- 2019-2020 Acura RDX SUVs
- 2018-2019 Honda Accord sedans
- 2018-2019 Honda Accord Hybrid sedans
- 2017-2020 Honda CR-V SUVs
- 2019 Honda Insight sedans
- 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey minivans
What is the Solution?
Acura and Honda dealerships will replace the faulty seat belt parts for free. Honda and Acura will send the affected vehicle owners a letter on April 17, 2023.
According to the NHTSA, Honda has received over 300 warranty claims, but there were no reported injuries related to the faulty seat belt issue.
Check NHTSA’s website to see if your vehicle has an open recall. Plug your vehicle’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) into the site, and if a recall does not appear, then your vehicle does not currently have one. Since automakers often issue recalls, it is recommended to check back regularly.
Watch the YouTube video from CBS 5 below reporting the Honda recall and seat belt issue.
The Importance of a Recall
Recalls are issued when a defect or safety issue is discovered in a product. In the case of the Honda recall, it is essential to take it seriously for several reasons.
First, a faulty seat belt can significantly increase the risk of injury or death in the event of a car accident. The seat belt is one of the primary safety features in a vehicle, designed to restrain the occupant and prevent them from being ejected from the car in a collision. If the seat belt is faulty, it may not perform its intended function, and the occupant may be at risk of severe injuries or even death.
Second, ignoring a recall may have legal consequences. If someone continues to use a vehicle with a known safety defect, and an accident occurs, they may be held liable for any damages that result. It is the vehicle owner’s responsibility to ensure that their car is safe to drive, and ignoring a recall notice may be seen as negligence.
Finally, ensuring the issue is addressed and resolved is essential. When a manufacturer issues a recall, they take responsibility for the defect and work to correct it. Ignoring the recall may put the vehicle owner at risk and other road users who may be affected by the faulty component.
Personal Injury Lawyers in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a recent car accident in Sacramento due to another driver’s negligence, call our law office for free, friendly advice at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400. You can also reach us on the contact us form on AutoAccident.com.
Our experienced injury lawyers have helped Sacramento and Northern California residents obtain maximum compensation for accident and wrongful death cases since 1982.
See some of our past case results on our Verdicts and Settlements page.
Photo by Chris Liverani on Unsplash
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