Honda Recalling More Than 700,000 Vehicles For Dangerous Hood Latch Defect
Michael Babboni
Recalls
While no accidents or injuries have been attributed to the defect as of yet, Honda is recalling more than 700,000 vehicles in the new year due to a faulty hood latch. The latch may fail while the vehicle is in motion, causing the hood to potentially open and dangerously obscure a driver’s ability to see the road ahead. The defect spans across model years 2016 to 2020 and affects various models of Honda trucks and SUVs.The Defect Details
Documents recently filed with the NHTSA showed that Honda found the hood latch striker can become damaged and separate from the hood, potentially resulting in the hood opening while the vehicle is in motion. This may be due to a gap that exists between the closed hood of the vehicle and the upper grill, not allowing full contact between the hood and rubber seal put in place to reduce vibration while the vehicle is on the road. This can lead the hood and latch to move more than was intended, and over time cause damage that may cause the hood to come open while driving.
The recall is expected to include 557,300 Honda Pilot, 148,800 Honda Ridgeline, and 18,700 Honda Passport vehicles from model years 2016 to 2020.
How To Have Your Vehicle Repaired
Recall notices should begin arriving in mailboxes in January of 2022, however you don’t have to wait to have your Honda vehicle inspected and repaired. If you haven’t received your recall notice yet, but you suspect you’re an owner of one of the affected vehicles, you can plug your VIN into the NHTSA recall website to see if you can expect to receive a recall newsletter.
Owners of the affected Honda vehicles can contact their local St. Petersburg Honda dealership to learn what next steps they should take to have their hood latch safely repaired. Drivers will be prompted to set up an inspection at their local dealership where professionals will determine if the hood latch needs to be repaired or replaced. Should the hood latch be defective, repairs will be made to ensure owners are driving off of the lot safely and with confidence. Recall related repairs are carried out free of charge.
What To Do If You’re In An Accident
If a vehicle’s hood latch fails while the vehicle is in motion, the hood may blow upwards to block the driver’s view from the front windshield. It’s easy to see how this can turn a simple drive into a dangerous situation in seconds. While this hood latch defect is yet to cause any accidents or injuries as of yet, the potential for an accident is there. If you are driving one of the affected vehicles, your hood becomes unlatched before you’re able to have the defect repaired, and this leads to an accident you might be entitled to compensation. Our professional team at TheStPeteLawyer.com are here to help you with the representation you need.
TheStPeteLawyer.com doesn’t only work with those recovering from a defect related accident. Even vehicles in full functioning order may be involved in an accident, and it always pays to have a professional on your side. Whether you’re going up against an auto manufacturer, an insurance company, or a negligent driver after a serious accident, we’re here to help. From the evidence collection process, to standing for you in court if necessary, we work hard to get you the compensation you need to make a full recovery. To learn more, contact us at TheStPeteLawyer.com today.