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TORRANCE, Calif. – Sept. 28, 2012 – American Honda has expanded a May 2012 power steering hose recall to additionally include approximately 572,000 model-year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles in the United States. Over time, exposure to high under-hood and power steering fluid temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate and develop a fluid leak. Leaking power steering fluid could lead to loss of power steering assistance or, if it leaks onto a catalytic converter, it may result in smoke, or in the worst case, fire. No crashes or injuries have been reported related to this issue, but one engine fire has been reported.

With this expansion, the recall now includes 2003-2007 Accord V6 models in addition to the originally recalled 2007-2008 Acura TL models.

The updated power steering hose necessary to complete final repair of the Accords affected by the expansion will not be available until early 2013. (The replacement parts for the Accord V6 vehicles are different than the parts for the Acura TLs subject to the original recall.) As a result, owners of affected Accords will receive an initial notification by mail informing them of this issue and symptoms potentially related to a power steering hose leak. If an owner believes that their Accord is exhibiting symptoms potentially related to a power steering hose leak, they should take their vehicle to their local Honda dealer for inspection and, if necessary, interim repair. When the updated power steering hoses are available in early 2013, vehicle owners will receive second mailed notification instructing them to take their vehicles to a Honda dealer for free repair.

Initial mailed notification to customers in this expanded group will begin in late-October 2012 with the second notification to follow in early 2013 as replacement parts become available. In addition to contacting customers by mail, in late-October, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles are included in the recall by going on-line to www.recalls.honda.com or by calling (800) 999-1009, and selecting option 4.

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