Honda Recalls Odyssey Minivans for Seat Defects

American Honda has issued a stop-sale order and has recalled 641,302 Odyssey minivans in the U.S. for two separate problems. According to Autonews.com, the automaker said one of the recalls involves a mechanism that allows the outboard second row seats to tilt and slide forward for access to the third row seating area. The mechanism may not lock the seat into place when the seat is returned to its normal position increasing the risk of injury to passengers seated in the second row. This recall covers 633,753 2011-2016 Odyssey minivans built between August 17, 2010, and October 1, 2015.

Recall Details

So far, no crashes or injuries have been reported as a result of the issue. The automaker discovered the problem through warranty claims. As part of the recall, dealerships will install additional brackets and springs to both second row outboard seats. The necessary parts, however, will not be available until spring of 2017 because of the large volume of new part needed, the automaker said. Honda will begin notifying affected vehicle owners in mid-February and again when parts become available. Owners are advised to slide the seat into the desired position and manually lock the seat into a fixed position by pushing down on the horizontal position adjustment bar until the repair has been made.

Separately, a noncompliance recall was issued for certain 2016 Odyssey minivans. This covers 7,549 Odysseys built between September 23, 2016 and October 24, 2016. In this recall, the latch mechanism that allows the second-row center seat to slide forward and rearward, may not properly lock the seat into place when the seat adjustment handle is released increasing the risk of injury to passengers in the second row. When the recall begins in late January, Honda dealerships will inspect the latch mechanism and adjust it to ensure proper operation. No injuries have been reported as a result of this recall either.

Auto Product Liability Issues

Seat defects can cause significant injuries to vehicle occupants. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of these or other auto defects, please remember that you have legal rights. Injured victims of defective autos can seek compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Victims or families would be well advised to contact an experienced auto defect law firm that has successfully handled similar cases and has succeeded in holding negligent automakers accountable.