Electrical fault prompts Honda Civic hybrid recall

HONDA is recalling 735 Civic hybrids in Australia as part of a global recall affecting 45,335 cars worldwide.

The recall is to repair a voltage converter defect that could stop the car’s engine.

No incidents or accidents have been reported in Australia and all owners were being notified by mail, according to Honda Australia spokesman, Mark Higgins.

Japan’s No2 car-maker plans to recall 7219 of the vehicles sold in Japan and another 38,116 sold overseas, mostly in North America, with the remainder in other markets.

Honda learned about the defect, which could cause a short circuit that would stop the engine and prevent it from restarting, from overseas reports, the company said in documents filed last week with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

However, the company has received no reports of accidents related to the defect.

The affected vehicles were manufactured between September 2005 and September 2006.

The problem was initially uncovered in Germany.

In Japan, Honda plans to notify the owners of the affected vehicles by mail and repair the defective parts.

The overseas recalls and repairs will be handled according to local laws.