Honda has announced a recall affecting almost 304,000 Accords and HR-Vs due to an issue with the seat belt latch plates. The company believes the problem could lead to an increased risk of injury during an accident.
Honda’s recall involves 2018-2020 Honda Accords and 2017-2021 Honda HR-Vs, which have all been manufactured with faulty seat belt latch plates. Honda reports that the latch plates may not be properly secured and could cause the seat belts to detach during a crash or sudden maneuver. As a result, the occupants in the affected vehicles may not be properly restrained and may suffer additional injury.
Honda has stated that it will be issuing a recall letter to all owners of the affected vehicles. The company is requesting that these owners contact their local Honda service center to arrange for a free replacement of the faulty seat belt latch plates. Honda technicians will check for any signs of detachment before and after the replacement process and will be able to identify any units that may not have been fixed.
Honda recommends that all owners of vehicles affected by this recall take the necessary steps to replace the seat belt latch plates at their earliest convenience. In the event that an owner wishes to replace the seat belt latch plates on their own, Honda is providing instructions and tools in the recall letter to allow for a safe installation.
This recall is a good reminder that in order to ensure that the safety systems of a vehicle are functioning correctly, regular servicing and maintenance is crucial. Vehicle owners should always ensure that all of their safety systems are tested and inspected at every service interval as advised by the manufacturer.
In the case of this recall, engaging with your local Honda service center is vital to keeping the occupants of these affected vehicles safe. Honda has taken the initiative to reach out to all owners of affected vehicles and provide instruction and parts to rectify the issue quickly and effectively.
However, should any owner experience any safety issues with their seat belt latch plates prior to the recall, they should reach out to their Honda service center immediately. Even if the seat belt latch plate is not part of this recall, the technicians will be able to identify and replace any faulty components within the seat belt assembly.