Honda Accord Euro fire warning

HONDA Australia has issued its fourth safety recall notice in the past three months, this time to fix potentially faulty power steering hoses that could cause engine bay fires in more than 45,000 previous-generation Accord Euro models.

The recall, involving 45,524 cars, affects almost all examples of the superseded Accord Euro sedan sold in Australia between June 2003 and June 2008.

Honda says it has received a small number of reports of engine bay smoke from owners of the model, but says no engine fires have been reported in Australia.

The recall notice published by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission yesterday said: “Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot exhaust may generate smoke and a burning smell, and could potentially result in an under-bonnet fire.

“Prolonged high under-bonnet temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely and may cause the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid.”Honda says it will advise owners of all affected vehicles by mail to contact an authorised Honda dealership to have the power steering feed hose replaced with an “improved component”.

The latest Honda Australia recall follows the call-back of 816 examples of the 2006 Civic Hybrid earlier this month to replace a rectifier diode that could cause the engine to stall, while more than 11,000 versions of the 2009-2010 Jazz hatch and related 2009 City sedan were recalled in February to fix a potential valvetrain problem.

In January, more than 27,000 Jazz vehicles were also recalled to repair a potential headlight issue.

Also in the past week, Volvo recalled 37 examples of its MY2011 C30 hatch, S40 sedan and V50 wagon due to potential cracking of a chassis support member inside the engine bay, which “could reduce its safety performance”.