Honda Recalling Almost 900,000 Vehicles Due to Defective Fuel Pump

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration posted the following notice concerning Honda's recall of vehicle. Transportation accidents are a significant cause of work related accidents and deaths in the US.

On March 6, 2014 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (HMC) determined that a potential defect relating to motor vehicle safety exists in the fuel pump of certain 2005-2010 model year Honda Odyssey automobiles, and is providing notification to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in accordance with 49 CFR Part 573 Defect and Noncompliance Reports.

573.6(c)(1)
Name of manufacturer:
Manufacturer's agent:
573.6(c)(2)
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA)
Jay Joseph

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM)
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Identification of potentially affected vehicles
See attached VIN list.

Description of the basis for the determination of the recall population:
The recall population was determined based on manufacturing records. The VIN range reflects all possible vehicles that could potentially experience the problem.
573.6(c)(2)(iv)

Identification of affected component:
Component: Fuel Pump Module
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: DENSO International America Inc.

Contact Name Bridgette Larose
Address: 24777 DENSO Drive
Southfield, Ml48086-5047
Telephone: 248-372-8266

573.6(c)(3)
Total number of potentially affected vehicles: 886,815

573.6(c)(4)
Percentage of affected vehicles that contain the defect: Unknown

573.6(c)(5)
Defect description:
Prolonged exposure to acidic chemicals and a high temperature environment may cause the cover of the fuel pump strainer to deteriorate prematurely in a manner that can result in cracks in the material. Cracks in the cover of the fuel pump strainer could lead to a fuel mell being present or to leaking fuel, increasing the risk of fire.

573.6(c)(6)

Chronology:

October 1, 2012

October 25, 2012

February 19, 2013

July 30, 2013

August 7, 2013

September 23, 2013

October 9, 2013

October 16, 2013

March 6, 2014

AHM recognized a high demand of Odyssey fuel pump

replacement parts.

HMA started analyzing fuel pumps returned from the market.

The initial investigation done by the supplier showed that the

cracks in the material were the result of acid.

Honda R&D North America Ohio (HRAO) and HMA investigated

the potential for acid to come from chemicals found in car washes.

Honda R&D Tochigi in Japan (HGT) began to study the acid

attack as well as the crack propagation as possible contributing

factors based on preliminary failed part analysis.

HGT started a preliminary test of acid combined with crack

propagation.

HGT found that low PH materials are used in fertilizer and dust

control agents, a possible source of acidic compounds that gather

on the fuel pump strainer cover.

HGT hypothesized that a combination of acid and crack

propagation could be a cause for the cracks and started

confirmation testing.

HMC determined that a safety defect exists and decided to

conduct a recall.




As of March 6, 2014 Honda has received 187 warranty claims for this issue.

There have not been any fires or injuries reported. Ms. Nancy Lewis




573.6(c)(8)(i)

Program for remedying the defect:

Due to the large volume of new parts needed to repair affected vehicles, the necessary

parts will not be available until the summer of 2014. As a result, owners will be informed

of the potential existence of the defect in an initial notification letter. A second notification

letter will be sent to inform owners when parts become available.

Customers currently experiencing a leak from the fuel pump will be provided with a

replacement cover from existing original parts. All vehicles, including those receiving an

interim repair, will require replacement once updated parts become available.




573.6(c)(8)(ii)

The estimated date to e-mail preliminary notification to dealers:

The estimated date to provide service bulletin to dealers:

The estimated date to begin sending notifications to owners:

The estimated date of completion of the notification:




573.6(c)(9)

March 12, 2014

March 13, 2014

April 21, 2014

May 9, 2014

Representative copies of all notices, bulletins and other communications:

A copy of the dealer service bulletin, the final customer notification letter and other dealer

communication will be submitted to your office as soon as possible.




573.6(c)(10)

Proposed owner notification letter submission:

A draft of the owner notification letter will be submitted to your office as soon as possible.




573.6(c)(11)

Manufacturer's campaign number:

JD9-Inspection and/or preliminary parts replacement

JEO- Final parts replacement