Honda Recall 2013, Nearly 250,000 Honda models for faulty stability control. The 2005 Pilot, 2005 Acura RL and 2005-2006 Acura MDX are affected; Ford also recalls a small number of 2013 models to fix child locks.
Honda is recalling nearly 250,000 vehicles to fix a stability-control unit that can inadvertently apply the brakes, according to company statements.
About 182,800 vehicles are affected in the U.S. -- the 2005 Pilot, 2005 Acura RL and 2005-2006 Acura MDX -- with the rest in Japan, Canada and Mexico.
Honda is recalling nearly 250,000 vehicles to fix a stability-control unit that can inadvertently apply the brakes, according to company statements.
About 182,800 vehicles are affected in the U.S. -- the 2005 Pilot, 2005 Acura RL and 2005-2006 Acura MDX -- with the rest in Japan, Canada and Mexico.
Electrical capacitors on the stability-control computer could have been damaged during production, which could send false signals that the vehicle is sliding and apply the brakes for a "fraction of a second," Honda said. If the driver were to brake at the same time, the computer could increase the braking force, due to a feature called brake assist, without the driver's input. Stability-control systems work in part by applying individual brakes to correct skids, so as a matter of physics, the steering wheel could also be pulled if the system malfunctions.
In late February, engineers with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into the 2005 Honda Pilot, after more than 200 complaints and reports of unexpected emergency braking and stability-control intervention.
According to NHTSA, Honda said it had identified problems with the Pilot's yaw sensors and the computer algorithms used to determine if the vehicle is in a slide or other emergency situation. However, while Honda made a change on 2006 and new Pilot models, the fix for 2005 models involves replacing an electrical sub-harness -- essentially, an extension cord -- to the stability-control unit.
About half of the 101,000 Pilot models affected will need their electrical ground bolts checked for tightness. The ground bolt is connected to the stability-control unit, and if it is not tightened, a power spike could also cause the unit to apply the brakes.
Honda dealers will begin repairs in mid-April. Owners can contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 or www.recalls.honda.com and Acura at 1-800-382-2238 or www.recalls.acura.com.
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