Honda Motor Co. is recalling 871,000 vehicles worldwide — including 807,000 in the United States alone — that could roll away after the ignition key has been removed.
A part in the ignition interlock could become damaged or worn, which enables the key to be removed even if the vehicle’s transmission lever has not been shifted into park. If the transmission is not in park and the parking brake is not set, the vehicle could roll away and a crash could occur, the company said in a statement released Dec. 12.
The recall affects 318,000 Odyssey minivans and 259,000 Pilot crossovers from model years 2003-2004, as well as 230,000 Acura MDX crossovers from 2003-2006. Additionally, the recall includes 64,000 vehicles outside the U.S.
American Honda will begin sending recall notices to owners in February.
According to a Reuters report about the recall, U.S. safety investigators opened a probe into the 2003-2004 Odyssey and Pilot in October after receiving 43 consumer complaints related to the ignition switch. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also told Reuters it had received complaints alleging some vehicles had rolled away but stopped only because they had hit an object, such as parked cars, fences, a tree and a mailbox.
