Recall Alert! Honda Recalling 500,000 Vehicles Concerning Seat Belt Issue
Honda is recalling a half-million vehicles due to their front seat belts failing to latch properly. The recall concerns multiple Honda models and one Acura in the U.S. and Canada regions. Is the Honda or Acura that you’re driving one of them?
Which Honda and Acura models are affected by this recall?
The recall covers some of Honda’s best-selling models, including the 2017-2020 CR-V, 2018-2019 Accord, 2018-2020 Odyssey, and the 2019 Insight. The 2019-2020 Acura RDX is part of the recall as well. According to Honda’s documents posted earlier today, “the seat belt buckle channel for the seat belt installed on the driver and front passenger seats was manufactured out of specification, causing interference between the buckle and the release button.”
Honda says that with continuous use, the buckle channel surface coating may wear off over time, which may cause the release button to shrink against the channel at low temperatures and cause issues with the seat belt latching.
Fortunately, Honda says that there are no reports of injuries caused by this issue.
What is the remedy for the recall?
Dealers will replace the driver and passenger front seat belt buckle release buttons if necessary. Owners of the affected models will be notified by a letter in the mail starting April 17.
How do I know if my car is part of the recall?
If your vehicle falls under the date and model range of those affected by the seat belt recall, you can double-check on the Honda Recall Lookup website. For now, if your car’s front seat belts are not latching properly, it could be worth visiting your local dealership to have them inspected. This is a serious issue that should not be ignored.
Honda recently recalled many models due to a more serious risk
Although this seat belt issue is serious, Honda recently recalled various models due to unrepaired Takata airbags. The Japanese automaker issued a “do not drive” warning in February for certain 2001-2003 Honda and Acura models concerning a possible airbag failure. The airbags in these models are over 20 years old, which means they could have a 50% failure rate.
Fortunately, replacement parts for this recall are available, and owners can take their cars to a local dealership to have the fix issued if needed. The affected models for this recall include:
- 2001-2002 Honda Accord
- 2001-2002 Honda Civic
- 2002 Honda CR-V
- 2002 Honda Odyssey
- 2003 Honda Pilot
- 2002-2003 Acura 3.2 TL
- 2003 Acura 3.2CL
Do these recalls mean that Honda and Acura are not that reliable?
No. Automakers recall models due to safety concerns on occasion. Although these recent recalls concern major safety issues, we wouldn’t say that they make Honda vehicles any less reliable. It’s worth noting that since Honda has been proactive in catching these issues, it can be counted on when it comes to upholding the reliability and safety of its vehicles.
Aside from using the Honda Recall Lookup tool, owners of these affected models can also reach Honda/Acura customer service at 888-234-2138.
