Yesterday Honda’s Japanese-market Fit Hybrid and Vezel Hybrid were affected by a third transmission recall
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced a voluntary recall of the Fit Hybrid and Vezel Hybrid produced in Japan from July 2013 through February 2014. The recall has to do with a problem with the software program controlling the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT) which could cause a delay in the ability to begin driving or the inability to move at all.
Honda said it notified today Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of the recall which is affecting 81,353 units, 70,929 Fit Hybrids and 10,424 Vezel Hybrids.
Unfortunately for Honda, this is the third similar recall. Honda conducted two recalls in October and December 2013 due to a defect with the software program controlling the 7-speed DCT which could have caused a delay in the ability to drive the vehicle or the inability to drive.
Today’s recall is the third related to the defect of the 7-speed DCT; Honda pointed out each recall was due to a different cause.
Honda stated in the recall’s press release it sincerely regrets causing this considerable inconvenience to its customers due to the fact that the defect was not discovered during the development and product quality verification processes prior to the introduction of a new technology to the market and the defective product quickly came to market.
As the remedy, starting today, Honda explained it will first check each DCT’s gear change history. For vehicles with a gear change history that indicates the non-engagement of gears, Honda will replace the DCT component in order to mitigate against the possible damage to internal parts of the DCT and then change the control software program. Honda is planning to begin installing the new control program on February 21, 2014.
For vehicles with a gear change history that does not indicate non-engagement of gears, Honda said it will provide advice for the use of vehicles as an interim step and begin changing the software control program on February 21, 2104.
Honda has suspended the delivery of all affected models, currently being produced at Yorii Plant of Saitama Factory and Suzuka Factory, until the installation of the new software program is completed.
Honda also said it took the necessary actions to suspended customer delivery of affected models that are already located at Honda dealerships until the installation of the new program is completed.
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