Recalled: 573,000 Honda Accords, 41,000 GM Models for Fire Risk
Leaks of power-steering fluid in Honda sedans and fuel in GM crossovers and coupes could cause blazes.
Honda is recalling 573,147 Accord sedans from the 2003 to 2007 model years for leaking power-steering fluid, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.High temperatures under the hood can cause the steering-fluid hose to crack, which could cause the fluid to leak onto a hot catalytic converter and start a fire. The Accord defect is part of a previous recall in May for the 2007/2008 Acura TL. At that time, only 52,615 cars were recalled.
Honda said that it would not have enough replacement parts for Accord owners until "early 2013," but that it would notify owners starting Oct. 26 and notify them again when the parts are ready. While a fire risk is present, Honda did not recommend that owners stop driving the cars, though it may be several months before dealers can install heat-resistant steering-fluid hoses.
Also today, General Motors recalled about 41,000 crossovers and coupes for fuel leaks, but only for certain models sold in a handful of states. The 2007-2009 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2007-2009 Pontiac G5, 2007 Chevrolet Equinox (pictured), 2007 Pontiac Torrent and 2007 Saturn Ion are included. The full state list -- which includes Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas -- varies by model and model year, so affected owners should read GM's letter to NHTSA or call GM at 1-800-521-7300.
[Source: NHTSA, NHTSA]
If anyone blames GM for using non-US labor forces, every car maker does it...heck Japan auto makers build cars here in US to avoid tariffs to have a certain percentage of the car made here.
GM also wants to pay back the money they borrowed to the Gov't but the Gov't doesn't want them to do so because Obama banked part of his budget on the interest they would receive from the bailout.
Were the bailouts right thing to do....I think so...think of all of the UAW that wouldn't have a job if GM folded up. Do I drive a GM car...no I don't but doesn't mean I wouldn't they didn't have a car that appealed to me at the time I was looking...but my first 3 cars I've owned were all GM. But I had a SUV (Equinox), and my lease was up...didn't want an SUV anymore, since I didn't find a GM or US car that I liked I ended up with a Subaru.
In all fairness to both companies (and I am no fan of GM) these recalls are most likely being placed as a "better safe than sorry" measure. The massive Toyota crisis a couple years ago has placed auto-makers under a lot more pressure to avoid similar mistakes, and as a result they're taking a lot more care to avoid looking careless.
Is there a realistic chance of your Accord or Ion catching fire?
Probably not. You should have noticed that the article doesn't mention any real world reports of fires.
Still, it's nice to know that the companies aren't willing to ride on the coattails of low probabilities anymore.
On a side note, I'd like to point out how inept MSNautos is; they mentioned the Honda Accord sedans, yet the picture is of the coupe. This brings me to my next question; why do any of use read these articles when we all seem to agree that they're so poor?
EXPLORE NEW CARS
MORE ON MSN AUTOS
ABOUT EXHAUST NOTES
Cars are cool, and here at MSN Autos we love everything about them, but we also know they're more than simply speed and style: a car is an essential tool, a much-needed accessory to help you get through your day-to-day life. What you drive is also one of the most important investments you can make, so we'll help you navigate your way through the car buying and ownership experiences. We strive to be your daily destination for news, notes, tips and tricks from across the automotive world. So whether it's through original content from our world-class journalists or the latest buzz from the far corners of the Web, Exhaust Notes helps you make sense of your automotive world.
Have a story idea? Tip us off at exhaustnotes@live.com.
