ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE INTERLOCK OPERATION OF THE IGNITION SWITCH MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION TO PARK.
Safety risk
IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT SHIFT TO PARK BEFORE REMOVING THE KEY AND FAILS TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, THE VEHICLE COULD ROLL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE THAT CONFIRMS INTERLOCK FUNCTION. VEHICLES WILL BE UPDATED WITH A REDESIGNED INTERLOCK LEVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 7, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
ON CERTAIN SEDANS, COUPES, HATCHBACKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, ELECTRICAL CONTACTS IN THE IGNITION SWITCH CAN DEGRADE DUE TO THE HIGH ELECTRICAL CURRENT PASSING THROUGH THE SWITCH WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED.
Safety risk
WORN CONTACTS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 14, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009 OR ACURA AT 1-800-382-2238.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH BALL JOINTS THAT CAN PREMATURELY WEAR OUT AND, IN THE WORSE CASE, THE BALL JOINT WOULD SEPARATE CAUSING THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO COLLAPSE.
Safety risk
THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN VEHICLE DECELERATION AND A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. ALSO STEERING CONTROLLABILITY WOULD BE REDUCED.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Power train: automatic transmission
23
85,170 mi
Electrical system
8
150,000 mi
Suspension: rear
4
—
Electrical system: ignition: switch
3
—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter
3
54,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
3
98,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
3
—
Air bags: frontal
2
160,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
2
80,000 mi
Power train
2
160,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission
2
91,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
2
—
Steering
2
150,000 mi
Suspension: front
2
98,000 mi
Unknown or other
2
—
Visibility: power window devices and controls
2
—
Wheels
2
—
Air bags
1
167,263 mi
Air bags: side/window
1
—
Electrical system: ignition
1
—
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
1
—
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
—
Engine
1
150,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
1
—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
1
79,000 mi
Exterior lighting
1
—
Latches/locks/linkages
1
125,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
1
—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)
1
—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
1
—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
The 1997 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1999 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.