The defect
Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Element passenger vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. The wire that supplies power to the trailer turn signal lights was inadvertently switched with the stop lamp wire. As a result the turn signals only illuminate when the brake lamps are illuminated. This does not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
Without trailer turn signal illumination, the driver's intent is not communicated, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on September 20, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Honda Element | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | TRAILER HITCHES
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 Element | 2007 | 112 | 10 |
| Honda Element | 2008 | 113 | 12 |
| Honda Element | 2009 | 31 | 8 |
| Honda Element | 2010 | 30 | 10 |
| Honda Element | 2011 | 11 | 10 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2012
47 of the 583 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2012 concerned the electrical system; Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) filed 245 campaigns in all.
| 12V596000 20 Dec 2012 | Airstream, Inc. |
| 12V573000 11 Dec 2012 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 12V571000 7 Dec 2012 | Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC |
| 12V566000 6 Dec 2012 | Winnebago Industries Inc. |
| 12V559000 3 Dec 2012 | WINNEBAGO INDUSTRIES INC. |
| 12V555000 3 Dec 2012 | HINO MOTORS SALES U.S.A., INC. |
| 12V547000 23 Nov 2012 | SETRA OF NORTH AMERICA |
| 12V541000 20 Nov 2012 | STARCRAFT RV, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2012