Honda Recalls 1.2 Million Vehicles in the US Over Faulty Rear Camera Display

Automaker Honda Recalls 1.2 Million Vehicles in the United States

DETROIT— Honda, the renowned automaker, has issued a recall for approximately 1.2 million vehicles in the United States due to a potential issue with the rear camera display on the front control panel.

Affected Models

The recall affects specific models, including the Odyssey from 2018 to 2023, as well as two types of SUVs: the Pilot from 2019 to 2022 and the Passport from 2019 to 2023.

Potential Safety Concerns

According to documents released by the US safety regulator on Friday, Honda identified a faulty coaxial cable connector as the root cause of the problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has highlighted that the absence of the rear camera image could impair the driver’s visibility, potentially leading to an increased risk of accidents.

No Reported Injuries

Although Honda has received nearly 274,000 warranty claims between May 2017 and June 8, 2023, there have been no reports of injuries or accidents related to this issue.

Free Repairs for Affected Owners

Honda has taken responsibility for the situation and will provide free repairs to affected owners. The solution involves replacing the wire harness and installing a straightening cover. Owners will be notified by letter starting from July 24.

Automaker Honda has issued a recall for 1.2 million vehicles in the United States due to a potential issue with the rear camera display on the front control panel. The affected models include the Odyssey, Pilot, and Passport. The problem is caused by a faulty coaxial cable connector, which can result in the absence of the rear camera image, impairing the driver’s visibility and increasing the risk of accidents. However, there have been no reported injuries or accidents related to this issue. Honda will provide free repairs to affected owners, replacing the wire harness and installing a straightening cover. Owners will be notified by letter starting from July 24.

What potential safety risks were posed by the faulty coaxial cable connector in the affected Honda models

There are several potential safety risks that could be posed by a faulty coaxial cable connector in the affected Honda models, including:

1. Loss of communication with safety systems: The coaxial cable connector is responsible for transmitting important data between various safety systems in the vehicle, such as the airbag control unit and the crash sensor. A faulty connector could lead to a loss of communication between these systems, potentially compromising their ability to function correctly in the event of a crash.

2. Inaccurate airbag deployment: If the communication between the airbag control unit and the crash sensor is disrupted due to a faulty coaxial cable connector, it may result in inaccurate or delayed airbag deployment during a collision. This could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants, particularly if the airbags fail to deploy at all or deploy with incorrect timing or force.

3. Impaired stability control: Some models may rely on the same coaxial cable connector for the stability control system. If this connection is compromised, it could affect the stability control’s ability to adjust braking and engine power, potentially leading to decreased stability and control of the vehicle, especially in critical situations like emergency stops or when driving on slippery surfaces.

4. Malfunctioning diagnostic systems: The coaxial cable connector is also responsible for transmitting diagnostic data to the vehicle’s onboard diagnostic systems. A faulty connector can result in inaccurate or incomplete diagnostic information, making it more challenging for technicians to identify and resolve any potential issues with the vehicle.

Overall, these safety risks associated with a faulty coaxial cable connector can potentially compromise the functionality of essential safety systems, increase the risk of injuries during accidents, impair vehicle stability control, and hinder accurate diagnostics of vehicle problems.