Petition by Owner Prompts Recall of 183,000 Honda Vehicles

The Center for Auto Safety is the nation’s premier independent, member driven, non-profit consumer advocacy organization dedicated to improving vehicle safety, quality, and fuel economy on behalf of all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

Honda’s recall of about 183,000 vehicles that might apply the brakes on their own was prompted by a woman who was frightened by having that problem in her own Honda and angry that there wasn’t a recall.

Carrie Carvalho of Arlington, Mass., used a little-known tactic: Filing a formal defect petition with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, requiring the agency to review her concern.

The recall in the United States covers 101,000 Honda Pilots, 60,000 Acura MDX vehicles, 21,000 Acura RLs from the 2005 model year. About 800 Acura MDX models from 2006 are also included, the automaker told the safety agency in a letter dated Wednesday. Worldwide, the recall covers about 250,000 vehicles.

Click here to view the full story from the New York Times

Click here to view Honda’s Part 573 Defect Information Report for Recall