The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced a recall of over 300,000 Honda HR-Vs and Accords from the 2023-2024 model years. The recall stems from a potential safety concern involving a missing seat belt component.
This missing part could prevent the seat belt from properly restraining an occupant during a crash, significantly increasing the risk of injury. The NHTSA emphasizes the importance of a functioning seat belt system in mitigating the effects of a collision.
While Honda has recalled a substantial number of vehicles—303,770 to be exact—they estimate that less than 1% will actually require the replacement part. This suggests a relatively low incidence rate of the defect within the affected models.
Honda plans to begin notifying owners via mail on January 8, 2024. Upon receiving the notification, owners should schedule an inspection with their local Honda dealer. Dealers will inspect the seat belt pre-tensioner assemblies and replace them free of charge if necessary.
Concerned owners can proactively verify if their vehicle is included in the recall by visiting Honda’s website and entering their VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). Alternatively, they can call Honda directly at 1-888-234-2138, referencing recall numbers MG7 and NG5. The NHTSA website also offers a VIN lookup tool for checking recall status across all makes and models.
The NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline (1-888-327-4236, TTY 1-800-424-9153) serves as an additional resource for vehicle safety information and inquiries.
This recall marks Honda’s 15th this year. It follows closely on the heels of another recent recall involving nearly 250,000 vehicles for a potential engine-damaging manufacturing error. This previous recall affected various Acura and Honda models, including the TLX, MDX, Odyssey, Pilot, and Ridgeline, spanning model years from 2015 to 2020.
Honda is actively addressing these safety concerns through the recall process. Owners are urged to respond promptly to recall notifications to ensure the safety and proper functioning of their vehicles.
