Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - SWITCH | |||||
| SB-12-025 | 04/17/2012 | 10044784 | Honda: to determine if headlight switches need to have connectors, and harness wires replaced, on certain vehicles, an inspection is required, with permission from owners. models civic gx, hybrid si and pilots. model years 2002-2005. | 07/27/2012 | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TAIL LIGHTS | |||||
| 04041 | 07/20/2004 | 10010757 | Taillight reflector is loose or distorted. *tt | 12/10/2004 | |
Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS | ||||||
| EA11012 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) | 09/12/2011 | 09/17/2012 | Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating | 12V136000 | |
| This investigation was prompted by preliminary evaluation (pe) 11-017, and was based on reports from consumers alleging that both low beam headlights stopped illuminating simultaneously.some complainants also reported that the combination switch (switch) that controls the headlights and turn signals, and/or its electrical wiring harness connector were damaged by overheating.odi's pe information request letter asked honda for certain data on model years (my) 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2008 pilot, 2003-2008 element, 2001-2005 civic, and 2000-2001 s 2000 vehicles.analysis of complaint and honda data show that a complete low beam headlight circuit failure occurs in models with 2-bulb headlight systems (i.e., a single bulb on each side for high and low beam).models with 2-bulb systems include my 2002-2004 cr-v, 2003-2005 pilot, 2001-2003 civic, and 2003-2008 element.models with 4-bulb headlight systems (i.e., two bulbs on each side, one for high and one for low beam) have different electrical circuits for the headlights and do not experience the same failure mechanism as the 2-bulb system.my 2000-2001 s 2000 models with 2-bulb high intensity discharge headlights also have different electrical circuits for the headlights and do not experience the same failure mechanism.honda introduced the 4-bulb headlight system in cr-v in my 2005, in pilot in my 2006, and in civic in my 2004.on march 29, 2012 honda submitted a defect information report (dir) to recall 554,428 vehicles, including my 2002-2004 cr-v and my 2003 pilot.in the dir, honda stated that tension from the combination switch wiring harness to the electrical terminal for the low beam headlight circuit could cause a small amount of motion as the combination switch was operated.this motion, over time, can wear the surface of the terminal creating copper oxide, increasing electrical resistance, which may cause the terminal to melt within the harness connector.odi continued its investigation, and on august 31, 2012 honda submitted another dir to recall an additional 820,789 vehicles.this report included the my 2002 civic vehicles which were not subject to a prior safety recall (04v-086) for headlights, all of my 2003 civic, and my 2004-2005 pilot.honda's dir advised that operation of the turn signal switch lever at high speed and/or with heavy force can cause movement between the combination switch body and the sub-harness wiring connector.this can cause wear and continued movement can create copper oxide, increasing electrical resistance, and potentially causing the terminal to melt within the harness connector. please see both dirs at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/ under safety recall 12v-136 for complete details.honda also provided additional information on the element model, stating that it was not recalled due to it's very low failure rate.honda sold 301,497 element vehicles in the united states and received 17 reports, while odi received one report (see voq 10395219).honda's technical explanation for the low rate, which was submitted under request for confidentiality, is that the headlight switch, as installed in the element, reacts differently to the forces applied to it as compared to the recalled models.see attachment for additional information. | ||||||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH | ||||||
| EA11012 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) | 09/12/2011 | 09/17/2012 | Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating | 12V136000 | |
| This investigation was prompted by preliminary evaluation (pe) 11-017, and was based on reports from consumers alleging that both low beam headlights stopped illuminating simultaneously.some complainants also reported that the combination switch (switch) that controls the headlights and turn signals, and/or its electrical wiring harness connector were damaged by overheating.odi's pe information request letter asked honda for certain data on model years (my) 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2008 pilot, 2003-2008 element, 2001-2005 civic, and 2000-2001 s 2000 vehicles.analysis of complaint and honda data show that a complete low beam headlight circuit failure occurs in models with 2-bulb headlight systems (i.e., a single bulb on each side for high and low beam).models with 2-bulb systems include my 2002-2004 cr-v, 2003-2005 pilot, 2001-2003 civic, and 2003-2008 element.models with 4-bulb headlight systems (i.e., two bulbs on each side, one for high and one for low beam) have different electrical circuits for the headlights and do not experience the same failure mechanism as the 2-bulb system.my 2000-2001 s 2000 models with 2-bulb high intensity discharge headlights also have different electrical circuits for the headlights and do not experience the same failure mechanism.honda introduced the 4-bulb headlight system in cr-v in my 2005, in pilot in my 2006, and in civic in my 2004.on march 29, 2012 honda submitted a defect information report (dir) to recall 554,428 vehicles, including my 2002-2004 cr-v and my 2003 pilot.in the dir, honda stated that tension from the combination switch wiring harness to the electrical terminal for the low beam headlight circuit could cause a small amount of motion as the combination switch was operated.this motion, over time, can wear the surface of the terminal creating copper oxide, increasing electrical resistance, which may cause the terminal to melt within the harness connector.odi continued its investigation, and on august 31, 2012 honda submitted another dir to recall an additional 820,789 vehicles.this report included the my 2002 civic vehicles which were not subject to a prior safety recall (04v-086) for headlights, all of my 2003 civic, and my 2004-2005 pilot.honda's dir advised that operation of the turn signal switch lever at high speed and/or with heavy force can cause movement between the combination switch body and the sub-harness wiring connector.this can cause wear and continued movement can create copper oxide, increasing electrical resistance, and potentially causing the terminal to melt within the harness connector. please see both dirs at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/ under safety recall 12v-136 for complete details.honda also provided additional information on the element model, stating that it was not recalled due to it's very low failure rate.honda sold 301,497 element vehicles in the united states and received 17 reports, while odi received one report (see voq 10395219).honda's technical explanation for the low rate, which was submitted under request for confidentiality, is that the headlight switch, as installed in the element, reacts differently to the forces applied to it as compared to the recalled models.see attachment for additional information. | ||||||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS - SWITCH | ||||||
| EA11012 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) | 09/12/2011 | 09/17/2012 | Low Beam Headlights Stop Illuminating | 12V136000 | |
| This investigation was prompted by preliminary evaluation (pe) 11-017, and was based on reports from consumers alleging that both low beam headlights stopped illuminating simultaneously.some complainants also reported that the combination switch (switch) that controls the headlights and turn signals, and/or its electrical wiring harness connector were damaged by overheating.odi's pe information request letter asked honda for certain data on model years (my) 2002-2006 cr-v, 2003-2008 pilot, 2003-2008 element, 2001-2005 civic, and 2000-2001 s 2000 vehicles.analysis of complaint and honda data show that a complete low beam headlight circuit failure occurs in models with 2-bulb headlight systems (i.e., a single bulb on each side for high and low beam).models with 2-bulb systems include my 2002-2004 cr-v, 2003-2005 pilot, 2001-2003 civic, and 2003-2008 element.models with 4-bulb headlight systems (i.e., two bulbs on each side, one for high and one for low beam) have different electrical circuits for the headlights and do not experience the same failure mechanism as the 2-bulb system.my 2000-2001 s 2000 models with 2-bulb high intensity discharge headlights also have different electrical circuits for the headlights and do not experience the same failure mechanism.honda introduced the 4-bulb headlight system in cr-v in my 2005, in pilot in my 2006, and in civic in my 2004.on march 29, 2012 honda submitted a defect information report (dir) to recall 554,428 vehicles, including my 2002-2004 cr-v and my 2003 pilot.in the dir, honda stated that tension from the combination switch wiring harness to the electrical terminal for the low beam headlight circuit could cause a small amount of motion as the combination switch was operated.this motion, over time, can wear the surface of the terminal creating copper oxide, increasing electrical resistance, which may cause the terminal to melt within the harness connector.odi continued its investigation, and on august 31, 2012 honda submitted another dir to recall an additional 820,789 vehicles.this report included the my 2002 civic vehicles which were not subject to a prior safety recall (04v-086) for headlights, all of my 2003 civic, and my 2004-2005 pilot.honda's dir advised that operation of the turn signal switch lever at high speed and/or with heavy force can cause movement between the combination switch body and the sub-harness wiring connector.this can cause wear and continued movement can create copper oxide, increasing electrical resistance, and potentially causing the terminal to melt within the harness connector. please see both dirs at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/ under safety recall 12v-136 for complete details.honda also provided additional information on the element model, stating that it was not recalled due to it's very low failure rate.honda sold 301,497 element vehicles in the united states and received 17 reports, while odi received one report (see voq 10395219).honda's technical explanation for the low rate, which was submitted under request for confidentiality, is that the headlight switch, as installed in the element, reacts differently to the forces applied to it as compared to the recalled models.see attachment for additional information. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | |||
| 04/02/2012 | 130000 | ||
| Low beam headlights failed due to some wiring issue. i note that a recall was recently announced on teh 2003 honda pilot and 2002-2004 honda crv. my 2004 honda pilot had the exact same issue as described in the recall notice, but is not included in the recall. please review this issue and see if the recall should be expanded to cover the 2004 honda pilot as well as this is an obvious safety issue. | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - HEADLIGHTS | |||
| 04/25/2005 | 11 | ||
| Head lights burn out every 2-3mo.s darrel waltrip tells me there is nothing they can do and that they know of no recalls on the very expensive halogen lights. i have spent approx. 200.00 dollars on headlight replacement. i think this would warrant a free check and repair of the problem. *tr | |||
| 01/20/2004 | 1 | ||
| The 2003 pilot headlights are very weak and do not sufficiently illuminate the road ahead. this creates a very serious driving hazard on the freeway especially at speeds as high as 70 mph. the pilot's headlights fail to illuminate the curves in the freeway, and consequently, pilots can veer off the highway and get into crashes. apparently, the honda company is aware of this problem but has chosen not to take any action. we appeal to nhtsa to urge honda to recall and replace the defective headlights. *jb | |||
| 12/15/2003 | 1000 | 1 | 11/28/2003 |
| Low beam headlights do not sufficiently illuminate road. *ak | |||
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING - TURN SIGNAL | |||
| 04/04/2008 | 1 | ||
| In may 2007, u-haul of kingston, ny installed a trailer hitch on my 2004 honda pilot. on april 4,2008, my turning signals stopped working and i smelled a burning electrical smell. i scheduled a service appointment with my local honda dealer for april 8, 2008. i stopped using the vehicle. the car alarm began to go off intermittently, without provocation. when we tried to start the car to bring it to the service appt., it would not start. it was towed to the dealership. the service tech's localized the smell to the rear of the car and began investigating the trailer hitch installation. the high energy 3 to 2 taillight converter had overloaded and the casing around the unit had melted through. *tr | |||