2001 Honda ACCORD NHTSA Investigations
Defect Investigations
The following investigations on the Honda ACCORD have been announced by the ODI. Interested in how this information is collected? Read more about investigations by the NHTSA.
Recent 2001 ACCORD Investigations
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RUPTURING DRIVER'S AIR BAG INFLATORS Defect Investigation for the 2001 ACCORD
Vehicle Component: Air Bags*
Summary: This rq investigation was opened to collect and analyze additional information to better evaluate the scope and timeliness of Honda's two safety recalls addressing rupturing of the driver's side air bag inflators (08V-593 and 09V-259). In an earlier response to rmd's request for information, Honda indicated that the second recall (09V-259), essentially an expansion of the first (08V-593), was necessary since later information informed that the source of the defect was different than originally postulated, and so the scope of the vehicles affected changed. Honda indicated that it had relied on its supplier of the air bag inflators, takata, Inc. (takata), in studying the possible sources of the inflator ruptures and identifying the recall populations. Accordingly, rmd issued a request forinformation to takata on November 20, 2009, and takata provided a partial response on December 23, 2009. Takata then provided its complete response on February 19, 2010. Takata informed ODI that, after analysis of several ruptured inflators, takata and Honda initially attributed the defect to handling of the propellant during inflator assembly that could have yielded increased moisture levels that, when coupled with thermal cycling in automobiles over time, could lead to reduced propellant density and overly aggressive combustion during air bag deployment. However, it discovered upon review of inflators returned from the 08V-593 recall campaign, some of which fell outside the manufacturing range when takata suspected the propellant was exposed to elevated moisture, that the source of the defect was more likely due to problems with a specific compression press (stokes press) used to form the inflator's propellant. Specifically, the propellant tablets produced by the press were found to be less dense, and therefore more susceptible to overly aggressive combustion during air bag deployment. Takata identified the manufacturing time frame over which the tablets were shown to have less dense properties as the end of calendar year 2000. Takata informed Honda of its discovery on or about June 12, 2009. Honda made its defect decision and then notified NHTSA of it on June 30, 2009. Honda then supplemented its filing with an identification of the specific vehicles to be included in the campaign, as well as identifying additional models to be included, on July 29, 2009. As with the 08V-593 campaign, takata examined inflators returned from the 09V-259 campaign, and some of which were manufactured outside of the range when the stokes press was found to have produced less dense propellant (beyond the end of February 2001). It provided those findings to Honda and Honda decided to expand safety recall 09V-259 to include all vehicles with inflators containing propellant manufactured using the stokes press. Honda notified NHTSA of its decision on February 9, 2010. Based upon all available information, there is insufficient information to suggest that Honda failed to make timely defect decisions on information it was provided. Also, given that all inflators with propellant manufactured using the stokes press have been recalled, there are no additional vehicles to be investigated and campaigned. Accordingly, this rq is closed.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #RQ09004 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on May 06 2010 and no recall was issued.
* This defect investigation is filed under 3 related vehicle components.
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SRS READINESS INDICATOR ILLUMINATION Defect Investigation for the 2001 ACCORD
Vehicle Component: Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module*
Summary: The subject vehicles are designed with an occupant position detection system (opds) for the passenger seat to suppress the side airbag in the event of an out-of-position occupant. On some vehicles, the opds unit and sensor grid may be susceptible to high moisture content and/or to sporadic electrical interference that would result in the illumination of the SRS readiness indicator. In this condition, opds suppression will not function, but the side airbag will still deploy in the event of a side crash. Honda issued a technical service bulletin in April 2004 to address this problem. However, the problem persists even after the warranty period expires. As a result, some owners may not be obtaining the necessary remedial service work. Continued illumination of the SRS indicator can "mask" the detection of other airbag component faults if they occur. In March 2006, Honda issued a service bulletin (06-009) to extend the warranty on SRS illumination and opds issues to 10 years or 150,000 miles (whichever occurs first). Honda will send notification letters to owners of the subject vehicles and will provide a no cost replacement of the opds unit as needed. In addition, other MY 1999-04 Honda and Acura vehicles are also covered by the bulletin. This action taken by the manufacturer is sufficient to resolve the issue raised by this investigation. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The Agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE05043 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on March 24 2006 and no recall was issued.
* This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
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IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK Defect Investigation for the 2001 ACCORD
Vehicle Component: Electrical System*
Summary: The above failure report counts are for model year (MY) 1999 - 2001 Honda Accord models that were not within the scope of a related Honda recall action (NHTSA 03V423); these vehicles were investigated by ODI under defect petition (dp) 04-006. Complaint information for other models and model years was not obtained by ODI. The noted population indicates the number of vehicles (including the MY 2002 Accord plus the Prelude and TL models) that are within the scope of Honda¿S new recall (NHTSA 05V-025, Honda P68, P69); 402,525 of these were investigated in DP04-006. Seepart 573 documents related to 05V-025 for further detail on other models and MYs. ODI notes that, according to Honda¿S analysis, interlock system warranty rates for the TL and Prelude models involved in 05V-025 are similar to those of the Accord models. Information provided by Honda during DP04-006 indicates that certain vehicles containing interlock systems made by its Japanese lock manufacturing facility may contain defective internal components. In combination with certain wear and usage factors, this may lead to a condition that prevents the system from blocking removal of the ignition key when the vehicle is not in park. If the driver leaves the transmission in a non-park position and fails to set the hand brake when parking, the vehicle may roll away and crash. Interlock systems manufactured by Honda¿S U. S. lock manufacturer do not appear to contain this defect and are therefore not included in the recall action. In a letter dated January 27, 2005, Honda advised that it will conduct a safety recall to either upgrade (for operative systems) or repair (for inoperative systems) subject interlock systems with new design level components that do not contain the defect.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE05002 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on February 02 2005 and there was a recall ordered: #05V025000
* This defect investigation is filed under 3 related vehicle components.
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK Defect Investigation for the 2001 ACCORD
Vehicle Component: Electrical System:Ignition*
Summary: The Office Of Defects Investigation (ODI) produced an information request (ir) letter dated October 14, 2004 which defined the subject vehicles as model year 1999 - 2001 Honda Accord vehicles which were not within the scope of prior recall action (03V423) Honda conducted to resolve an interlock defect. Honda submitted responses on November 29 and December 21, 2004. The failure reports noted above have been determined from ODI's analysis of NHTSA's complaint database and an initial analysis of the manufacturer's ir response data (further analysis required). Some of the Honda reports are duplicative of ODI. Taking into account a shorter service life, the failure incidence of the subject vehicles is similar to that determined when ODI conducted preliminary evaluation (PE) 03-013, which involved interlock failures on older Accords subsequently recalled under the 03V423 action. Accordingly, the petiton is granted and ODI has opened PE05-002 to further investigate the matter.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #DP04006 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on January 13 2005 and no recall was issued.
* This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK Defect Investigation for the 2001 ACCORD
Vehicle Component: Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)*
Summary: Six of the ODI complaints are duplicative of Honda complaints, as well as four of the crashes. The one injury occurred when a rollaway vehicle struck the exiting operator who had inadvertently parked the vehicle in an unsecured state (not in park, brake not engaged). Honda identified the warranty claims from complaint descriptions that contended the interlock system failed to operate properly. Honda presented the results of their investigation into interlock system failures at an October 16, 2003 meeting with ODI in which Honda identified a supplier and an engineering specification change for the ignition cylinder body (cb), a subcomponent of the ignition lock assembly. Results from Honda¿S analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between the production date range of vehicles that experienced higher interlock warranty claim rates and the implementation dates of the changes. An engineering specification for a surface treatment process for the cb was eliminated at the beginning of MY 1998. The supplier of the cb was changed in February 1999. Vehicles built within this time period contain a cb with poor surface hardness that can wear prematurely. As the wear progresses, the interlock system becomes incapable of preventing key removal when the shifter is in a non-park position. Interlock failure increases the risk of a vehicle rollaway and subsequent crash or injury when vehicles are parked unsecured. Honda Accord vehicles subject to this change include MY 1998 and MY 1999 through February 1999 production. Vehicles produced after this date are not affected by this condition and thus are not considered at risk for failure. ODI notes that 12 of the 13 voq reports fall within this production range (the 13th does not have a VIN and cannot be verified). The above population represents the number of the Accord vehicles to be recalled. Honda also reported that certain Odyssey and Acura cl and TL models were affected and would also be recalled. A total of 570,120 vehicles will be recalled. Under recall 03V-423, Honda will inspect vehicles and replace components (including the cb) on vehicles with excessive wear. Vehicles not showing wear will have a redesigned part installed which prevents wear.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #EA03017 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on December 17 2003 and there was a recall ordered: #03V423000
* This defect investigation is filed under 2 related vehicle components.
SEAT FRAME BRACKET FAILURE Defect Investigation for the 2001 ACCORD
Vehicle Component: Seats
Summary: This PE was opened based on 10 consumer complaints in the ODI database alleging that the power assisted seats were failing in certain 1998-2002 Honda Accord vehicles. Failures are concentrated in the 1998-99 model year vehicles. The bracket that attaches the seat bottom to the seat base is fracturing due to: 1-the weld condition of bracket, 2-the drivers weight, and 3-the impact on the seat when the driver enters the vehicle and sits down. Over time the bracket that attaches the seat may fail at the left front corner of the seat bottom. The other 3 points of attachment of the seat bottom to the seat base stay attached and the seat movement is limited. The attachment of the seat bottom to the seat back does not fail. The condition is most apparent during rapid acceleration causing the seat to tilt rearward. Although a few complaints report concern over loss of vehicle control, no loss of control incidents, crashes or injuries are reported. In response to customer complaints, Honda will provide owners of 1998 and some 1999 Accords a no-cost reinforcement for the seat at the left front corner. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of Agency resources does not appear to be warranted. Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
More Details: For detailed information & supporting documents, see the official NHTSA page concerning investigation #PE02072 »
Status of Investigation: This investigation was closed on March 28 2003 and no recall was issued.