Honda recalls 528 000 vehicles in brake-seal action

Automotive News staff report, a Crain publication

25 October 2010

Honda Motor Co. is recalling 528 000 vehicles worldwide, most of them Odyssey minivans sold in the United States, due to potential problems with a seal.

Honda says master brake cylinder seals in the 2005 Odyssey minivan and other models may fail and cause brake fluid to leak. The recall is similar to one issued last Thursday by Toyota Motor Corp. for about 1.5 million vehicles worldwide.

The same supplier, Advics Co., a privately held Japanese company with a unit in the United States, made the seals for both major automakers. No accidents or injuries have been reported due to the faulty seals.

Of the Honda recalls, 435 000 of them are US Odyssey minivans from the 2005 through early 2007 model years. A smaller number of 2005-2007 Acura RL sedans sold around the world is also involved in the Honda recall.

As in the Toyota recall, Honda says the seals may fail and cause brake fluid to leak if factory-issued brake fluid is replaced with fluid that is not "factory-issue."

A change in the way the supplier makes the seals was made after the vehicles affected by the recall were produced. The new seals allow for a wide range of brake fluids without causing leaks, Toyota said on Thursday.

A Honda spokeswoman said the automaker will in the next couple of months tell customers to bring cars to dealerships for repairs. If the dashboard brake warning light is illuminated, drivers are asked to bring their autos to dealerships immediately, she said.

Honda did not say how much the repairs will cost the company.

Toyota also recalled another 134 000 vehicles in China on Thursday for a separate issue.

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