Honda recalls 344,000 Odyssey in the United States

According to reports, Japan’s Honda Motor Co. announced that it will recall 344,000 Odyssey minivans in the US market and repair the problem vehicles. The affected models were the Odyssey minivans from 2007 to 2008. The reason for the recall was that the vehicle had a defect in the software system, which may cause accidental braking of the vehicle when the driver did not apply the brakes. However, since the yaw rate sensors needed for maintenance will be produced and marketed next spring, this repair work can only be postponed.

In June of this year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the United States investigated the problem of brakes on nearly 344,000 Odyssey minivans from 2007 to 2008. The problem arises from the fact that the vehicle stability assistance system may malfunction during driving and start the braking function without turning on the brake lights, thereby increasing the risk of car accidents. According to a report released by the NHTSA in July, 22 car owners had received complaints about the accidental braking of the car, but no car accident or casualties resulted from this problem.

In view of this braking problem, Honda said in the press release that it will install a new upgraded version of the yaw rate sensor for the problem model to correct errors in the vehicle stability assistance system. However, this new version of the yaw sensor will not be available until the spring of 2014. Currently, as an expedient measure, Honda will use letters to guide the correct steps for the calibration of the vehicle stability assistance system when the vehicle owner restarts the vehicle. When the yaw sensor is purchased next year, the owner will be notified again.