Honda is recalling 500,000 vehicles in the United States and Canada because the front seat belts may not latch properly. The recall affects several of the automaker’s best-selling models, including the 2017-2020 CR-V, the 2018 and 2019 Accord, the 2018-2020 Odyssey, and the 2019 Insight. The Acura RDX from the 2019 and 2020 model years is also included.
Honda claims in documents posted by US safety regulators on Wednesday that the surface coating on the buckle channel can deteriorate over time. The release button can shrink against the channel at lower temperatures, increasing friction and preventing the buckle from latching.
If the buckle fails to latch, a driver or passenger may be unrestrained in a collision, increasing the risk of injury.
Honda claims there have been no reports of injuries due to the problem.
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Dealers will replace the front seat belt buckle release buttons or assemblies if necessary. Beginning April 17, owners will be notified by letter.
Honda Motor Co.’s U.S. unit announced on Tuesday that it will shift production of its Accord sedan to Indiana in 2025, after previously assembling the model in Marysville, Ohio, for more than 40 years, as part of its transition to electric vehicle (EV) production. Marysville will be Honda’s first U.S. auto plant to convert to EV production.
Honda and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution Ltd announced in October that they would build a $4.4 billion joint-venture battery plant near Jeffersonville, Ohio, and broke ground earlier this month.
Honda EV production
The battery plant, expected to be completed by the end of 2024, will cover more than 2 million square feet (185,806 square meters) and have an annual production capacity of approximately 40 Gigawatt hours (GWh).
Honda announced last year that it would invest $700 million to retool three Ohio plants, including Marysville, for electric vehicle production by 2026.
According to the company, Marysville will begin preparing for EV production as early as January by consolidating its two production lines into one, allowing it to begin building the EV infrastructure.
Honda began producing cars in the United States with the Accord in November 1982, making it the first Japanese automaker to do so. Since then, the Ohio plant has produced over 12.5 million Accords.
With 362,700 vehicles sold in 1989, the Accord was the first Japanese model to hold the title of best-selling car in the United States.
In recent years, Americans have shifted away from sedans and toward sport utility and crossover vehicles. Honda sold 154,600 Accords in the United States last year, a 24% decrease from 2021.
Honda announced that Accord production would be moved to its Indiana auto plant, which also produces the Civic Hatchback and CR-V.
According to the company, Honda’s transmission plant in Georgia will dedicate one production line to e-axle production, a key EV component, and its Anna, Ohio engine plant will shift production of some engine components to a Honda engine plant in Alabama to prepare for production of battery cases for EV models.
Honda AWV
Honda will demonstrate the latest generation of its prototype Honda Autonomous Work Vehicle (AWV) capabilities to improve construction industry and worksite efficiencies at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 in Las Vegas, March 14-18, 2023. Construction companies interested in learning more about field testing the rugged off-road platform at their sites will be able to do so. Visit https://honda.us/HondaAWV to see a video of the Honda AWV.
“As we continue to advance the Honda AWV platform, we hope to meet with potential business partners and companies interested in field testing the vehicle at their worksite at CONEXPO,” said Jason VanBuren, systems engineering manager at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “We believe the Honda AWV can be a valuable solution to supporting construction teams while also enhancing worksite efficiencies and safety. We hope to address labor shortages and improve environmental performance by leveraging Honda’s decades of experience developing reliable, safe, clean mobility technology.”
The Honda AWV is a fully programmable all-electric work vehicle that leverages the company’s emerging advanced autonomous technology to create a rugged off-road work vehicle designed to support construction-related activities and boost workforce productivity.
The Honda AWV, with its ability to operate autonomously or manually via remote control, could provide a wide range of services to industries that require an autonomous operation or delivery solutions, particularly where workforce constraints make other solutions impractical. The company is also looking into developing attachments and tools that could make the vehicle useful in various work environments.
The second-generation Honda AWV was successfully field tested at a large-scale solar construction site in the Southwest United States. Based on field testing, Honda is now introducing the third-generation Honda AWV, which includes several improvements.
The following are key features of the third-generation Honda AWV:
To operate autonomously, the Honda AWV employs sensors, including GPS for location, radar and lidar for obstacle detection, and cameras for remote monitoring. Previous field tests have also proven that multiple Honda AWVs can transport and deliver construction materials and supplies at precise points along a predetermined route. The vehicle uses common components from Honda’s automobiles and other products, leveraging the company’s extensive portfolio of mobility technologies.
Third-Generation Honda Autonomous Work Vehicle Specifications
Honda anticipates further advancements in performance and design specifications as the prototype Honda AWV development continues.
Honda is looking for partners to participate in field testing and improve functions and services as the company seeks to commercialize AWV.
