Honda Recalls 807,000 Minivans, SUVs For Rollaway Problem

December 17, 2012 12:49 PM " Honda is certain recalling 2003 and 2004 model year Odyssey minivans and Pilot SUVs and Acura MDX SUVs from the 2003 through 2006 model years for an ignition interlock issue that may lead to a vehicle rollaway when the keys are removed.

A notice on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website puts the number of vehicles potentially affected in the U.S. at 807,161. The number includes approximately 318,000 Honda Odysseys, 259,000 Honda Pilots and 230,000 Acura MDX SUVs. Affected vehicles were built from November 26, 2001 through August 30, 2006.

The problem

According to documentation from Honda (PDF) submitted to the NHTSA, a potential defect exists in the ignition interlock of the subject vehicle population. The automaker said that an ignition switch design change reduced ignition switch rotation from 160 degrees (in earlier designs) to 120 degrees, but with no corresponding change to the ignition interlock blocking mechanism.

As a result of the inconsistency, Honda said that the driver may need to apply excessive rotational force on the ignition key when attempting to remove it when the gear selector is not in the Park position "

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