In response to safety concerns, Honda has initiated a recall affecting over 300,000 2023-2024 Accord and HR-V vehicles. The recall is a result of a component deficiency in the front seat belt pretensioners, a crucial safety feature that tightens seat belts upon impact. The absence of necessary rivets to secure the quick connector and wire plate heightens the risk of inadequate passenger restraint during a collision.
Notices from Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) underscore the significance of addressing this issue promptly. The NHTSA attributes the problem to an assembly process error, and as a precautionary measure, dealers will conduct inspections and replace the seat belt pretensioner assemblies at no cost to vehicle owners.
As of November 16, seven warranty claims have been filed, but there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities linked to the defective pretensioners. Owners who have incurred expenses for repairs may be eligible for reimbursement. Starting January 8, 2024, notification letters will be sent to registered owners of the affected vehicles, providing information on the recall. For further details, consumers are encouraged to visit the recall pages on the NHTSA and Honda websites.
This recall follows Honda’s recent recall of nearly 250,000 vehicles in the United States due to potential bearing failure, posing a risk of engine stalling and accidents. While 1,450 warranty claims have been received, no injuries have been reported.
In June, Honda addressed another safety concern, recalling approximately 1.2 million vehicles due to a potential issue where rearview camera images might not be displayed on the dashboard screen.
