Safety Recall: 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey Sliding Door Outer Handle Cables

SEOCONTENT-START

July 28, 2020
Mr. Jeffrey Giuseppe
Associate Administrator for Enforcement
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Attn: Recall Management Division (NVS-215)
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Re: Part 573, Defect Information Report
2018 – 2020 Model Year Honda Odyssey
Power Sliding Door Outer Handle
Dear Mr. Giuseppe:
In accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act and 49 CFR Part 573 Defect and Noncompliance and Responsibility Reports, Honda is submitting the enclosed Defect Information Report regarding a safety recall of 2018 – 2020 model year Honda Odyssey vehicles to address a defect with the power sliding door outer handle.
If you have any questions about this report, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Jeff Chang
Senior Manager
Product Regulatory Office
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Phone (310) 783-2000
Defect Information Report
573.6(c)(1)
Name of manufacturer: Honda of America Mfg., Inc.
Manufacturer’s agent: Jeff Chang
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
1919 Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
573.6(c)(2)
Identification of potentially affected vehicles:
Description of the basis for the determination of the recall population:
The recall population was determined based on manufacturing records. The manufacturing range reflects all possible vehicles that could potentially experience the problem.
Description of how the vehicles being recalled differ from similar vehicles not included in the recall:
Similar vehicles built on or after July 20, 2020 are not included in the recall, as these vehicles were installed with power sliding door outer handle cables with improved moisture protection. Similar vehicles built before July 20, 2020 that were within American Honda’s control were remedied prior to dealer delivery.
Identification of affected component:
Component: Cable Assy, Slide Door Handle (Outer)
Part No.:
Left:
72681-THR-A11
Right:
72641-THR-A11
Country of Origin: Mexico
Manufacturer: Hi-Lex America Inc.
573.6(c)(3)
Total number of potentially affected vehicles: 324,194
573.6(c)(4)
Percentage of affected vehicles that contain the defect: 100%
Make/Model
Model Year
Dates of Manufacture
Number of Vehicles
Honda Odyssey
2018
01/19/2017 to 04/17/2018
112,126
Honda Odyssey
2019
04/12/2018 to 08/13/2019
138,594
Honda Odyssey
2020
09/11/2018 to 07/16/2020
73,474
573.6(c)(5)
Defect description:
Moisture entering the body lines between the power sliding door and outer door handle may leak onto the plastic boot protecting the outer door handle cable. When operating the outer door handle, the plastic boot can flex and form small gaps that allow for moisture intrusion. The moisture intrusion can freeze in low ambient temperature conditions, causing the outer door handle cable to stick in the open position, and restrict the front and rear latches from securely latching to the door strikers. An improperly latched power sliding door can unintentionally open during vehicle operation, increasing the risk of injury for occupants.
573.6(c)(6)
Chronology:
November 9, 2018
Honda filed a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall ID 18V-795) for power sliding doors opening while driving due to failure in the rear latch assembly.
January – February 2019
Honda received a report from the dealer technician hotline of a vehicle exhibiting similar symptoms even after the recall remedy for NHTSA Recall ID 18V-795 was performed. Honda field personnel visited the dealer and noted the outer door handle cable was frozen. Honda immediately launched an investigation, including the collection and analysis of parts returned from the field.
March 2019
The supplier for the outer door handle conducted testing and could not re-create the failure mode of a frozen outer door handle cable.
April – July 2019
Honda regularly meets with the supplier as part of the investigation. Additional testing was performed on field return parts, which did not reveal any deviation from design specifications.
September 2019 – July 2020
Since the testing concluded that field return parts met design specifications, Honda begins to investigate opportunity and likelihood for occurrences in the field, including further analysis of field return parts and Fault Tree Analysis verification. Based on these analyses, Honda investigates whether modifications to the design specifications are appropriate.
July 21, 2020
Honda determined that a defect related to motor vehicle safety existed and decided to conduct a safety recall.
As of July 16, 2020, Honda has received 113 warranty claims, 31 field reports, and no reports of injuries or crashes related to this issue.
573.6(c)(8)(i)
Program for remedying the defect:
Registered owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail and asked to take their vehicle to an authorized Honda dealer. The dealer will replace the power sliding door outer handle cables with redesigned cables for free.
573.6(c)(8)(ii)
The estimated date to start notification to dealers: July 29, 2020
The estimated date to start notifications to owners: September 23, 2020
573.6(c)(10)
Representative copies of all notices, bulletins and other communications:
A copy of the dealer service bulletin, the final customer notification letter, and other dealer communication will be submitted to your office as soon as possible.
A draft of the owner notification letter will be submitted to your office as soon as possible.
573.6(c)(11)
Manufacturer’s campaign number: A88

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August 28, 2020
Mr. Jeffrey Giuseppe
Associate Administrator for Enforcement
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Attn: Recall Management Division (NVS-215)
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, D.C. 20590
Re: NHTSA Recall No. 20V-437
Part 573, Amended Defect Information Report
2018-2020 Honda Odyssey
Power Sliding Door Outer Handle
Dear Mr. Giuseppe:
In accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act and 49 CFR Part 573 Defect and Noncompliance and Responsibility Reports, Honda is submitting the enclosed amended Defect Information Report regarding NHTSA recall number 20V-437 originally submitted on July 28, 2020. The amendment adds two MY2020 Honda Odyssey vehicles to the affected vehicle population. The following reporting categories are being amended:
1. Identification of potentially affected vehicles; and
2. Total number of potentially affected vehicles.
If you have any questions about this report, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Jeff Chang
Senior Manager
Product Regulatory Office
JC:wvt
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
1919 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90501-2746
Phone (310) 783-2000
Amended Defect Information Report
573.6(c)(2)
Identification of potentially affected vehicles:
Initial Report
Amended Report (updates in bold)
Description of the basis for the determination of the recall population:
The recall population was determined based on manufacturing records. The manufacturing range reflects all possible vehicles that could potentially experience the problem.
Description of how the vehicles being recalled differ from similar vehicles not included in the recall:
Similar vehicles built on or after July 20, 2020 are not included in the recall, as these vehicles were installed with power sliding door outer handle cables with improved moisture protection. Similar vehicles built before July 20, 2020 that were within American Honda’s control were remedied prior to dealer delivery.
8/28/2020 Amendment
Two MY2020 Honda Odyssey vehicles with a manufacture date of July 21, 2020 are being added to the recall. Although these vehicles completed final assembly after the date the countermeasure was applied to mass production, they were initially assembled with the recalled component prior to being taken off-line for unrelated repairs. Once repaired, vehicle assembly completed on July 21, 2020, and the vehicles were distributed into commerce. Review of manufacturing records later identified the recalled component that necessitated inclusion into the recall.
573.6(c)(3)
Total number of potentially affected vehicles: 324,194 (original population)
+ 2 (population expansion)
324,196 (amended population)
Make/Model
Model Year
Dates of Manufacture
Number of Vehicles
Honda Odyssey
2018
01/19/2017 to 04/17/2018
112,126
Honda Odyssey
2019
04/12/2018 to 08/13/2019
138,594
Honda Odyssey
2020
09/11/2018 to 07/16/2020
73,474
Make/Model
Model Year
Dates of Manufacture
Number of Vehicles
Honda Odyssey
2018
01/19/2017 to 04/17/2018
112,126
Honda Odyssey
2019
04/12/2018 to 08/13/2019
138,594
Honda Odyssey
2020
09/11/2018 to 07/21/2020
73,476

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NHTSA Recall Number: 20V-437
Honda Campaign Number: A88
Service Bulletin Number: 20-024
Why my vehicle is under recall: Water may enter the outer door handle cables for the sliding doors. In cold temperature conditions,
the outer door handle cables may freeze, preventing the door from completely closing. A partially
closed sliding door can unintentionally open during vehicle operation, increasing the risk of
occupant injury. A “Door Open” warning message (pictured at left) will appear in the Driver
Information Interface and the warning beeper will sound in the event of a partially closed sliding
door.
What Honda will do: Your Honda dealer will replace the power sliding door outer handle cables with redesigned cables
for FREE. Honda estimates that the repair will take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to
complete. However, your dealer can provide you with a better estimate of the overall time for this
service visit, as it may be necessary to make your vehicle available for a longer period of time.
What we need you to do:
• Check recall information for your vehicle by accessing the Honda Recall Lookup tool at
www.recalls.honda.com and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
• If you have questions or concerns, we encourage you to:
o call American Honda’s Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138
Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time; or
o contact your local Honda automobile dealer; or
o email or chat by going to www.owners.honda.com/help/customer-relations; or
o visit Twitter @HondaCustSvc; or
o visit www.recalls.honda.com to use “Ask Dave”, our 24/7 virtual agent.
If you paid out of pocket to have these specific recall repairs performed on your vehicle, you may be eligible for reimbursement; please contact
American Honda’s Customer Support & Campaign Center at 1-888-234-2138 to determine potential eligibility and for instructions on how to
request reimbursement.
If you no longer own this vehicle or if any of the information is not correct, please complete and return the enclosed prepaid Information Change
Card as soon as possible. If you are a lessor of this vehicle, federal regulations require you to forward this notice to your lessee within ten days.
If you believe that American Honda or the dealer has failed or is unable to remedy the defect in your vehicle, without charge and within a
reasonable period of time (60 days from the date you first contact the dealer for a repair appointment), you may submit a complaint to the
Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590. Alternatively, you
may call the NHTSA toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to https://www.safercar.gov.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this recall may cause, but please be assured that your safety is our first concern.
Sincerely,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Please call any authorized Honda dealer and schedule an appointment to have your vehicle
repaired for FREE.
If you are not the only driver of this vehicle, please advise all other drivers and passengers of
this important information.
If the “Door Open” warning message appears on the Driver Information Interface or
you hear the warning beeper, please safely navigate the vehicle out of traffic, come to
a complete stop, and close the sliding door when it is safe to do so.
IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL
AUTOMOBILE DIVISION
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
1919 Torrance Blvd., P.O. Box 2215
Torrance, CA 90509-9870
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Honda has decided that a defect which relates
to motor vehicle safety exists in 2018 – 2020 model year Odyssey vehicles.
This notice applies to your vehicle: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Dear FIRSTNAME LASTNAME,
September 2020
Número de campaña de seguridad NHTSA: 20V-437
Número de campaña de Honda: A88
Número de boletín de servicio: 20-024
¿Por qué mi vehículo está bajo esta campaña de seguridad?:
Puede ingresar agua en los cables de la manija exterior de la puerta para las puertas deslizantes. En
condiciones de temperaturas frías, los cables de la manija exterior de la puerta pueden congelarse, lo
cual previene que la puerta cierre completamente. Una puerta deslizante parcialmente cerrada puede
abrirse sin intención durante el funcionamiento del vehículo, aumentando el riesgo de una lesión al
ocupante. Un mensaje de advertencia de “Door Open” (Puerta abierta) (se muestra la imagen a la
izquierda) aparecerá en la interfaz de información del conductor y la advertencia audible sonará en el
caso de una puerta deslizante parcialmente cerrada.
¿Qué hará Honda?” Su concesionario Honda reemplazará de forma GRATUITA los cables de la manija exterior de la puerta
deslizante eléctrica con cables rediseñados. Honda estima que la reparación tomará aproximadamente 1
hora y 15 minutos para completar. No obstante, su concesionario le puede ofrecer un mejor estimado del
tiempo total de esta visita de servicio, ya que pudiera ser necesario que su vehículo esté disponible por
un periodo más largo.
¿Qué necesitamos que usted haga?:
• Verifique la información de la campaña de seguridad de su vehículo ingresando en la
herramienta Honda Recall Lookup en www.recalls.honda.com e ingresando su Número de
identificación del vehículo (VIN).
• Si usted tiene preguntas o inquietudes, le recomendamos que:
o
o
o
o
o
llame al Centro de Apoyo al Cliente y Campañas de American Honda al 1-888-234-2138
de lunes a viernes, 6:00 a.m. a 5:00 p.m., hora del Pacífico; o
comuníquese con su concesionario de automóviles Honda local; o
envíe un correo electrónico o chat por medio de www.owners.honda.com/help/customerrelations;
o
visite Twitter @HondaCustSvc; o
visite www.recalls.honda.com.
Si usted ha pagado por realizar las reparaciones de la campaña de seguridad específica en su vehículo, usted puede ser elegible para el reembolso,
por favor comuníquese con el Centro de Apoyo al Cliente y Campañas de American Honda al 1-888-234-2138 para determinar la elegibilidad potencial
y para las instrucciones sobre cómo solicitar el reembolso.
Si ya no es el propietario de este vehículo o si alguna información no está correcta, por favor complete, firme y devuelva lo más pronto posible la
Tarjeta de Cambio de Información anexa, con el porte pagado. Si usted es el arrendador de este vehículo, las regulaciones federales requieren que
usted envié una copia de esta notificación a su arrendatario en un lapso de diez días.
Si usted cree que American Honda o el concesionario ha fallado o no le es posible reparar el defecto en su vehículo, sin cobro alguno y dentro de un
período de tiempo razonable (60 días desde la fecha en que usted contactó por primera vez el concesionario para la cita de la reparación), usted
puede enviar una queja a: Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Alternativamente, usted también puede comunicarse con el número de llamada sin costo (Toll-free) Vehicle Safety Hotline de NHTSA al
1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), o visitar la página https://www.safercar.gov.
Sinceramente le pedimos disculpas por cualquier inconveniente que pueda haberle causado esta campaña de seguridad, pero por favor tenga por
seguro que su seguridad es nuestra primera preocupación.
Atentamente,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Por favor llame a cualquier concesionario autorizado Honda y programe una cita para la
reparación de su vehículo de forma GRATUITA.
Si usted no es el único conductor de este vehículo, por favor informe a todos los
conductores y pasajeros sobre esta información importante.
Si el mensaje de advertencia de “Door Open” (Puerta abierta) aparece en la Interfaz de
información del conductor o usted escucha un mensaje de advertencia audible, por
favor conduzca el vehículo de forma segura fuera del tráfico, deténgase
completamente, y cierre la puerta deslizante cuando sea seguro hacerlo.
CAMPAÑA DE SEGURIDAD IMPORTANTE
DIVISIÓN AUTOMOTRIZ
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
1919 Torrance Blvd., P.O. Box 2215
Torrance, CA 90509-9870
Estimado FIRSTNAME LASTNAME,
Septiembre del 2020
Esta notificación aplica a su vehículo: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Esta notificación ha sido enviada a usted de acuerdo con el decreto de la oficina de Administración Nacional de Seguridad del Tráfico en las
Carreteras (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration o NHTSA por sus siglas en inglés). Honda ha determinado que existe un defecto el cual
está relacionado con la seguridad del vehículo en los vehículos Odyssey año modelo 2018 – 2020.

**** 
View Message
On July 28, 2020, American Honda notified NHTSA of multiple Stop Sale and Safety/Noncompliance
Recall campaigns including the below, which contain overlapping vehicle populations.
20-024, Safety Recall: 2018-20 Odyssey Sliding Door Outer Handle Cables
20-047, Noncompliance Recall: Gauge Control Module So􀅌ware Update 2018-2020 Odyssey,
2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot
20-050, Noncompliance Recall: 2019-20 Odyssey Rearview Camera
To ensure proper repairs, American Honda stopped the sales of all pre counter-measured parts
related to these campaigns. Effective immediately all dealers that have inventory of the below parts
are asked to stop installing and return parts back to American Honda.
Stop Sale and Return Request Affected Part Numbers:
Sliding
Door
Issue
Rear
Camera
Issue
Combi-Meter
Issue
72641-
THR-A01
39530-
THR-A02 Click here
72681- for list
THR-A01
39530-
THR-A21
Return Request:
You must return all pre counter-measured parts (listed above) in your inventory.
No Shipment Lis􀆟ng or Invoice is required for this return. These returns will not be charged against
your SRA credit.
Return iN OAR Procedure
1. Complete the iN OAR procedures.
2. Use Reason Code “R” with eleven zeros for the Shipper Number.
3. Use Item Number “9999.”
4. Enter “August Campaign Returns” in the Remarks Sec􀆟on.
5. When approved, Print “Authorization Return document and labels” from the iN. Please return
Sent on 08 03 2020 Expires on 09 03 2020
From Parts Operations, Campaign Group
Subject Part Stop Sale / Return request; 2018-2021 Multiple Campaigns
INTERACTIVE NETWORK
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Page 1 of 2
parts as normal with the “Return Authorization a􀆩ached.”
6. Return above mentioned Fuel Pump Modules on your returning DSO Truck or
normal method of return.
Order adjustment requests (OARs) must be submitied by September 4th, 2020.
Thank you,
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
NG/ms
INTERACTIVE NETWORK
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Page 2 of 2

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Next Unread Message View Message
DATE: July 29, 2020
TO: All Honda Sales, Service, & Parts Managers, and Personnel
FROM: Brad Ortloff, Manager of Auto Campaigns and Recalls
Re: Stop Sale/Safety/Noncompliance Recalls; Product Update: 2018-2021 Multiple Campaigns
On July 28, 2020, American Honda notified NHTSA of the following four Stop Sale and Safety/Noncompliance
Recall campaigns, which contain overlapping vehicle populations.:
20-024, Safety Recall: 2018-20 Odyssey Sliding Door Outer Handle Cables
Affected Population: Certain 2018-2020 Odyssey
Background: Due to an improper manufacturing process, water can enter
the sliding door outer handle cable assembly due to insufficient
sealing. In freezing conditions, the water can freeze leading to
increased friction, potentially prohibiting the door latch from
opening or closing completely. An incompletely latched sliding
door may open during vehicle opera􀆟on, increasing the risk of
injury to vehicle occupants.
Repair: Replace the le􀅌 and right sliding door exterior door handle cables
and bushing joints.
Parts: Parts will be available for normal ordering
Tools: There are no special tools needed for this repair.
20-047, Noncompliance Recall: Gauge Control Module Software Update
Affected Population: Certain 2018-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021 Pilot
Background: Due to programming issues, the Media Oriented System Transport
(MOST) unit in the gauge control module may cause the gauge display
to go blank or randomly reboot. This is noncompliant with Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Repair: Update the gauge control module so􀅌ware that is available at the
􀆟me of this message.
Parts: No parts required for this update.
Tools: A reflash jig has been shipped to all Honda dealers and is expected
to arrive by July 29, 2020.
20-050, Noncompliance Recall: 2019-20 Odyssey Rearview Camera
Sent on 07 29 2020 Expires on 09 16 2020
From Brad Ortloff, Manager of Auto Campaigns and Recalls
Subject Stop Sale/Safety/Noncompliance Recall; Product Update: 2018-2021 Multiple Camp.
INTERACTIVE NETWORK
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Page 1 of 3
Affected Population: Certain 2019-2020 Odyssey
Background: Due to improper manufacturing, the rearview camera display
may be cloudy, the rearview camera may not work or the “Rear
Camera Not Available” message is displayed. This is
noncompliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Repair: Replace the rearview camera.
Parts: Parts are currently not available for dealer ordering. American
Honda will auto allocate parts to dealers based on sales data.
Additional weekly auto allocations will be made as inventory is
received. Allocations are expected to continue into Fall 2020.
Dealers will be notified when auto allocations will cease and
parts will be available for open ordering.
Tools: There are no special tools needed for this repair.
20-051, Noncompliance Recall: Front Control Box OTA Software Update
Affected Population: Certain 2019-2020 Odyssey, 2019-2020 Passport, and 2019-2021
Pilot
Background: Due to multiple programming issues in the front control box, the
display audio and rearview camera may remain off after a quick
ignition cycle. In addition, on Passport and Pilot models, the
rearview camera may not display when shipping to Reverse. This
is noncompliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Repair: Update the audio unit so􀅌ware via the Over the Air (OTA)
system. The so􀅌ware is available at the 􀆟me of this message
and may be performed by dealerships or by the customer via
their vehicle’s OTA update function.
Parts: No parts are required for this update.
Tools: There are no special tools needed for this repair.
In addition, American Honda is announcing a Product Update for the following market ac􀆟on:
20-059, Product Update: 2018 Odyssey Front Control Box OTA Software Update
Affected Population: Certain 2018 Odyssey
Background: Due to multiple programming issues in the front control box, the
display audio and rearview camera may remain off after a quick
ignition cycle.
Repair: Update the audio unit so􀅌ware via the Over the Air (OTA)
system. The so􀅌ware is available at the 􀆟me of this message
and may be performed by dealerships or by the customer via
their vehicle’s OTA update function.
Parts: No parts are required for this update.
Tools: There are no special tools needed for this repair.
Refer to your eResponsibility report or do an iN VIN status inquiry to determine which units in your inventory are
affected.
Failure to repair a vehicle as necessary prior to sale may subject your dealership to claims or lawsuits.
INTERACTIVE NETWORK
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Page 2 of 3
SERVICE BULLETIN
All of the above-mentioned services bulletins have been posted to the Service Informa􀆟on System (SIS)
as of Wednesday, July 29, 2020. They include applicable parts, so􀅌ware, repair, and warranty
information related to these campaigns.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
American Honda expects to complete customer notification by end of September 2020.
As always, be sure to do an iN VIN status inquiry for all vehicles passing through your dealership to
determine eligibility for any open campaigns.
INTERACTIVE NETWORK
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Page 3 of 3