Honda Recalls 807,000 SUVs and Minivans for Rolling

Honda Motor Co. recalled 807,000 sport utility vehicles and minivans over a defect that may let the vehicles roll away.

The New York Times reports the recall affects the 2003-2004 Honda Pilot and Odyssey and the 2003-2006 Acura MDX models. The recall includes 259,000 Pilots, 318,000 Odysseys, and 230,000 MDXs in the United States, and 64,000 vehicles from other countries.

The problem involves a part that allows the ignition key to be taken out without the automatic transmission being in park mode, according to Honda. Under federal law, the ignition key should be impossible to remove unless the vehicle’s automatic transmission is in park, writes the Times.

Federal regulators looked into the matter after receiving 42 reports from Honda vehicle owners regarding the ignition key being removed without the transmission in the park position. Twenty-six vehicles reportedly rolled away, and in 16 cases the vehicle stopped only after hitting an object. There was one injury report of a leg being broken after the owner was hit by the rolling vehicle, reports the Times.

Honda will issue letters to notify the owners of the recalled vehicles in February or customers can also check company websites for more information.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by a recalled vehicle, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if a product liability lawyer may be able to help you.

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