Faulty Seatbelts Prompt Major Honda Recall

A new recall highlights problems with an important safety device in nearly half a million Honda and Acura models.

Nearly 450,000 Honda and Acura vehicles are being recalled for front seatbelts that may fail to latch properly.

“The seat belt buckle channel was manufactured out of specification, causing interference between the buckle channel and the release button,” Honda said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“If the seat belt buckle does not latch, the occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant,” the company added.

The recall covers certain Acura RDX, Honda Accord and Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Insight, and Odyssey from model years 2018 through 2020. Honda said it has received more than 300 warranty claims stemming from the problem but is not aware of any related accidents or injuries.

The company plans to notify owners of recalled vehicles by mid-April, Honda told NHTSA. It will ask owners to bring their vehicles to local dealers for inspection and possible replacement of driver and passenger front seatbelt buckle release buttons.

This is not the first time that Honda and Acura vehicles have been recalled. The company has issued eight separate recalls already this year, according to data from NHTSA.

Honda announced late last year, for instance, that it was recalling some 116,000 Ridgeline pickup trucks. The trucks’ rearview cameras could fail, Honda said at the time, increasing the risk of backup collisions.

The automaker more recently told owners of older Honda and Acura models to stop driving the cars immediately until faulty airbags are removed and replaced. The faulty Takata airbags were part of a massive recall that began nearly a decade ago.

How the California Lemon Law Works

There is some good news for Honda, Acura and other car owners in California: You do not have to wait for a recall to get a defective vehicle fixed. The California lemon law offers some valuable rights and protections.

The lemon law generally requires car manufacturers to perform a variety of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. 

It also forces them to buy back covered vehicles that they are not able or are unwilling to fix. That includes compensating the owner for any down payment on the car, as well as for monthly loan payments, the outstanding balance on any loan. The manufacturer is also responsible for towing, rental cars and other related expenses. 

A manufacturer can instead offer to replace the vehicle, but it is up to the owner to decide whether to accept or reject this alternative arrangement. An experienced lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and weigh your options.

Speak with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.