The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·12V222000·Announced 2012-05-17

Honda Recalls Accord and Acura TL for Power Steering Fire Risk

Honda is recalling 625,762 vehicles because a deteriorating power steering hose can leak fluid onto a hot catalytic converter, potentially causing an under-hood fire.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (power steering hose) that poses a risk of an under-hood fire, which aligns with the rubric criteria for a Severe (4) rating involving significant injury or property-damage potential.

Plain-English summary

Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling 625,762 vehicles, including model year 2003 through 2007 Accord V6 vehicles and model year 2007 and 2008 Acura TL vehicles. The recall was initiated in May 2012 for the Acura TL and expanded in September 2012 to include the additional Accord vehicles.

The defect involves the power steering hose, which may deteriorate prematurely due to prolonged under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures. This deterioration can result in cracks and power steering fluid leakage. If the fluid leaks onto a hot catalytic converter, it can lead to smoke and possibly an under-hood fire.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will install a new heat-resistant power steering hose free of charge. The original recall remedy began in June 2012. For the vehicles added in the September 2012 expansion, sufficient parts were not yet available at the time of the notice but were expected in early 2013. Owners of these expanded vehicles were to be notified beginning October 26, 2012, and again when parts became available. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-800-999-1009 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
HONDA, ACURA ACCORD, TL
Brand
HONDA
Manufacturer
HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Category
Vehicle — Steering System
Hazard
Affected units
625,762

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (2)

  • ACCORD
  • TL

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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