Honda has issued a recall for approximately 1.7 million Honda and Acura vehicles in the United States due to concerns over a defective steering gearbox component that could potentially pose a safety risk. The affected vehicles include various models such as the Honda Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, CR-V, HR-V, as well as the Acura Integra.
According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall report, the defective component can cause increased friction between certain parts, resulting in a higher steering effort and difficulty which could potentially lead to a crash or injury. However, there have been no reported injuries or deaths related to this issue.
The company has received over 10,300 warranty claims related to this problem, but has stated that the fix will involve dealers installing an "improved" worm gear spring and redistributing or adding grease to the worm wheel at no charge to the owners. Honda has also mentioned that owners who have already paid for these repairs may be eligible for reimbursement in accordance with the recall reimbursement plan on file with the NHTSA.
Owners of the affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to bring their vehicles to an authorized Honda or Acura dealer for the necessary repairs. The automaker has already informed dealers about the issue and will begin sending out notification letters to customers in November.
The timeframes during which the impacted vehicles were built vary by model, and Honda has reassured customers that the repairs will be completed free of charge. The company remains committed to ensuring the safety and satisfaction of its customers and will continue to address any issues that may arise.