The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SEDAN, COUPE AND WAGON PASSENGER VEHICLES EXCEPT THE DX MODEL AND MODELS WITH V6 ENGINES. THE FACTORY INSTALLED AIR CONDITIONER WIRE HARNESS WAS IMPROPERLY ROUTED ALLOWING SOME WIRES TO RUB AGAINST EACH OTHER, EVENTUALLY CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT.
The risk
THE SHORT CIRCUIT CANPOSSIBLY CAUSE THE UNDERHOOD WIREING TO OVERHEAT AND SMOKE, CAUSING A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN ALSO RESULT IN A BLOWN FUSE OR DEAD BATTERY.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER ROUTING OF THESE WIRES. ANY HARNESS IMPROPERLY ROUTED WILL BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE AND THE ROUTING WILL BE CORRECTED. IF ANY INSULATION IS WORN THROUGH AND THE COPPER WIRES ARE EXPOSED, THE HARNESS WILL BE REPLACED. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL PLASTIC TUBING TO PROTECT THE HARNESS.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Honda Accord | 1995, 1996, 1997 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
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 Accord | 1995 | 543 | 2 |
| Honda Accord | 1996 | 472 | 1 |
| Honda Accord | 1997 | 460 | 3 |
Other electrical system recalls in 1998
34 of the 367 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1998 concerned the electrical system; AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. filed 122 campaigns in all.
| 98V240003 22 Dec 1998 | DAMON CORPORATION |
| 98V313000 14 Dec 1998 | BLUE BIRD BODY COMPANY |
| 98V300000 8 Dec 1998 | AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO. |
| 98V307000 7 Dec 1998 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 98V299000 24 Nov 1998 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 98V275000 3 Nov 1998 | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE |
| 98V279000 3 Nov 1998 | GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC. |
| 98V278000 19 Oct 1998 | SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1998