Honda Motors Recalls 2.49M Cars

Reuters is reporting that Honda Motor HMC has announced a recall for 1.5 million of its CR-V, Accord, and Element models in the U.S with almost another million cars from Chinese and Canadian markets. Honda is recalling the 2007 to 2010 CR-V, the 2005 to 2010 four-cylinder Accord, and the 2005 to 2008 Element in order to update the automatic transmission's control software. The models being recalled were produced before the car parts shortage during the March earthquake in Japan, according to the Wall Street Journal. Without the updated software, the automatic transmission secondary shaft bearing in the affected vehicles can be damaged if the transmission is quickly shifted between each of the reverse, neutral and drive positions, as may be done in an attempt to dislodge a vehicle stuck in mud or snow. If the bearing is damaged in this unusual scenario, it can cause the engine to stall or lead to difficulty engaging the parking gear, according to a Honda press release. Honda has also reported that no injuries or deaths have been associated with the recalled vehicles. This comes only four months after a recall to replace airbags that had the potential to dangerously inflate and injure passengers in 833,000 Honda Accord, Civic, Odyssey, and CR-V models from the early 2000s. Multiple Honda joint ventures in China will also be recalling certain vehicles that require the necessary upgrades. The cars affected include certain 2004 to 2009 Accord and Odyssey models as well as Spirior cars manufactured between August and November 2009. Ford Motor F announced Monday that there will be a recall of 1.2 million Ford and Lincoln trucks because of possible corrosion to the fuel tank straps caused by de-icing chemicals. The models recalled include the 1997 to 2004 F-150, the 1997 to 1999 F-250, and the 2002 to 2003 Lincoln Blackwood, according to Reuters.