The defect
HONDA IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2007-2008 HONDA FIT VEHICLES. DUE TO AN ERROR DURING INSTALLATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE COMBINATION SWITCH THAT CONTROLS LOW HEAD BEAM FUNCTION, THE WIRES FOR THE LOWER BEAM CIRCUIT WERE PULLED TIGHTER THAN INTENDED. AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TERMINAL FOR THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT CAN BECOME WORN AS A RESULT OF THIS TENSION, WHICH CAN RESULT IN LOW CONDUCTIVITY AND CAUSE AN ACCUMULATION OF COPPER OXIDE IN THE AREA OF THE CONTACTS.
The risk
THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS CAN BECOME INOPERATIVE DECREASING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AS WELL AS THE VEHICLE'S VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOW BEAM TERMINAL AND PERFORM NECESSARY REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Honda Fit | 2007, 2008 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Fit | 2007 | 370 | 11 |
| Honda Fit | 2008 | 217 | 8 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2010
19 of the 647 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2010 concerned the exterior lighting; HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) filed 96 campaigns in all.
| 10V608000 7 Dec 2010 | GLAVAL BUS DIVISION |
| 10V577000 10 Nov 2010 | FLEETWOOD RV, INC. |
| 10V558000 8 Nov 2010 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 10V556000 8 Nov 2010 | STARCRAFT RV, INC. |
| 10V463000 5 Oct 2010 | NAVISTAR, INC |
| 10V452000 29 Sept 2010 | PACCAR INCORPORATED |
| 10V366000 5 Aug 2010 | MERCEDES-BENZ USA, LLC. |
| 10V365000 5 Aug 2010 | YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION, USA |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2010