Safety Recall U8Y: 2021 Honda Pilot 20” Continental Tire

November 20, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V725000

Tire Carcass May Break Causing Sudden Air Loss

Over-cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V725

Manufacturer Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Components TIRES

Potential Number of Units Affected 214

Summary

American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) is recalling certain 2021 Pilot vehicles equipped with Continental CrossContact LX Sport 245/50R20 102 H tires with DOT serial number A376 D3K9 2920 and mold numbers S-421920 and S-421921. The tires may have been cured for a time beyond the specification limits.

Remedy

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect all four tires and replace the tires that have the affected DOT serial number and mold number, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 11, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s number for this recall is U8Y.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Check if your Honda has a Recall

Service Bulletin

A20-097
November 21, 2020

Version 1

Safety Recall: 2021 Pilot 20” Continental Tire

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Year	Model	Trim Level	VIN Range
2021	Pilot	ALL	Check the iN VIN status for eligibility.

BACKGROUND

A very limited number of 2021 model year Pilots may be equipped with one or more Continental Cross Contact

LX 245/50R20 102H tires that were cured for a time beyond the specification limits. Over-cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation, which could lead to a tread/belt loss.

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION

Owners of all identified vehicles will be sent a notification of this campaign.

Do an iN VIN status inquiry to make sure the vehicle is shown as eligible.

Some vehicles affected by this campaign may be in your new or used vehicle inventory.

Failure to repair a vehicle subject to a recall or campaign may subject your dealership to claims or lawsuits from the customer or anyone else harmed as a result of such failure. Before selling a vehicle in inventory, always check if it is affected by a safety recall by conducting a VIN status inquiry.

CORRECTIVE ACTION

Inspect the DOT number and mold number on all 4 tires. Then, replace the tire(s) if needed.

PARTS INFORMATION

NOTE

New tires should be purchased only through Tire Rack when replacing a tire using this bulletin.

Part Name	Part Number	Quantity
TIRE (245/50 R20)	42751-CTL-020	1

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

NOTES

Required photos must be included when submitting your claim, or the claim may be subject to a debit.
New tires must be purchased only through Tire Rack when replacing a tire using this bulletin.
To submit a warranty claim for dealer-installed tire replacement, select the T3 sublet code in the Sublet Information field and enter the total sublet amount.
For tire handling reimbursement, select the T4 sublet code in a different Sublet Information field.

Then multiply the number of replaced tires by $10.00. Add the total handling amount in the second sublet field.

Inspection Only

Operation Number	Description	Flat Rate Time	Defect Code	Symptom Code	Template ID	Failed Part Number
4215B3	Inspect the DOT and mold numbers of all four tires. (Photos of DOT and mold numbers of all tires. No tire replacement).	0.2 hr	6TX00	U8Y00	A20097A	42751-CTL-020

Inspection and Tire Replacement

Operation Number	Description	Flat Rate Time	Defect Code	Symptom Code	Template ID	Failed Part Number
4215B4	Remove the wheel assembly from the vehicle and mount on the machine. Mount and balance one (1) new tire. (Includes inspection and photos of the DOT and mold numbers of all tires.)	0.5 hr	6TX00	U8Y00	A20097B	42751-CTL-020
4215B5	Remove the wheel assembly from the vehicle and mount on the machine. Mount and balance two (2) new tires. (Includes inspection and photos of the DOT and mold numbers of all tires.)	0.8 hr	6TX00	U8Y00	A20097C	42751-CTL-020
4215B6	Remove the wheel assembly from the vehicle and mount on the machine. Mount and balance three (3) new tires. (Includes inspection and photos of the DOT and mold numbers of all tires.)	1.1 hr	6TX00	U8Y00	A20097D	42751-CTL-020
4215B7	Remove the wheel assembly from the vehicle and mount on the machine. Mount and balance four (4) new tires. (Includes inspection and photos of the DOT and mold numbers of all tires.)	1.4 hr	6TX00	U8Y00	A20097E	42751-CTL-020

Skill Level: Repair Technician

INSPECTION

Inspect the last 4 digits of the DOT number on all 4 tires as shown.
- If the last 4 digits are 2920, take a photo of the DOT number. Then, go to step 2.
- If the last 4 digits are not 2920, the REPAIR PROCEDURE does not apply.

NOTE

Photos of both DOT and mold numbers of all 4 tires must be submitted with the warranty claim.

Inspect the mold number on all 4 tires as shown.
- If the mold number is S-421920 or S-421921, take a photo of the mold number. Then, go to REPAIR

PROCEDURE.

If the mold number is not S-421920 or S-421921, the REPAIR PROCEDURE does not apply.

NOTE

The S- may or may not be present on the tire.
Photos of both DOT and mold numbers of all 4 tires must be submitted with the warranty claim.

REPAIR PROCEDURE

Replace any tire(s) that have both a DOT number 2920 and a mold number S-421920 or S-421921.
Once the tire is removed, drill a 3/8” hole in the sidewall above the serial number.

Replaced tires are to be sent to AHM WPI for destruction. Ship tires to the address below.

American Honda – WPI

Building 500, Rollup Door #4

1919 Torrance Blvd.

Torrance, CA 90501

NOTE

Photos of both DOT and mold numbers of all 4 tires must be submitted with the warranty claim.

END

November 20, 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
2021 Model Year Honda Pilot
OE Tire

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 certain 2021 model year Honda Pilot vehicles to address a defect with the original equipment tire.

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

Defect Information Report

573.6(c)(1)

Name of manufacturer:

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC

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:

Make/Model	Model Year	Dates of Manufacture	Number of Vehicles
Honda Pilot	2021	08/04/2020 to 08/12/2020	214

Description of the basis for the determination of the recall population:

The recall population was determined based on supplier and manufacturing records.

Description of how the vehicles being recalled differ from similar vehicles not included in the recall:

According to the tire defect notification 20T-018 filed by Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA), a total of 884 potentially affected tires with DOT serial number A376 D3K9 2920 and mold numbers S-421920 and S-421921 were applied to 2021MY Honda Pilot, 2020MY Honda Passport and Acura MDX vehicles and were released to commerce; 768 of these tires were shipped to Honda for OEM application and 116 tires were distributed throughout CTA’s retail network. The 768 tires received by Honda could have been installed on up to 10,254 U.S. market vehicles. Of the 768 tires, supplier production records identified only fourteen tires potentially subject to over-curing; however, only four of these tires actually exceeded the supplier’s cure time threshold and thus resulted in compromised tires. Based on tire serial numbers, shipping records narrowed these four tires down to two shipping trailers, with two tires per trailer. Shipping records also confirmed Honda’s two in-factory tire failures were linked to the same trailer, so the remaining two over-cured tires were isolated to a single shipping trailer.

The vendor responsible for wheel assembly (wheel, tire, and TPMS) maintained records for the tire serial number during receiving, and separately the DOT serial number, mold number, and TPMS ID number during assembly. These records indicate that the two over-cured tires received from the supplier were limited to three lots of wheel assemblies that were shipped to Honda.

Each wheel assembly lot is designated for 72 vehicles, so the overall scope is 216 vehicles.

Using the TPMS ID numbers, Honda determined that these wheel assemblies were installed on 216 Honda Pilot vehicles, of which 214 were U.S. market vehicles. Vendor records also indicated that only 14 of these wheel assemblies match the suspect DOT serial number and mold number, so the tire replacement remedy will be limited to these 14 wheel assemblies.

Identification of affected component:

Component:	CrossContact LX Sport 245/50R20 102 H
Part No.:	42751-TG7-A24, 42751-TG7-Y20
Country of Origin:	U.S.
Manufacturer:	Continental Tire the Americas, LLC.

573.6(c)(3)

Total number of potentially affected vehicles: 214

573.6(c)(4)

Percentage of affected vehicles that contain the defect: 7%

573.6(c)(5)

Defect description:

According to defect notification 20T-018 filed by CTA, certain affected tires have an over-cure condition. Affected tires may experience a carcass break in the sidewall with sudden air loss or could develop a belt edge separation that could lead to a partial or full tread/belt loss. These conditions increase the risk of a crash or injury. The tires may exhibit visible localized tread wear that may manifest as excessive vibration and/or bulging in the tread area, which could serve as a possible warning to owners.

573.6(c)(6)

Chronology:

August 12 – 21, 2020

Honda had two separate incidents at the factory where a single tire burst on a newly manufactured vehicle. Honda launched an investigation, and the tires were returned to the supplier for analysis.

September 2 – 11, 2020

The supplier sent the failed tires to its German laboratory for analysis and confirmed both tires were over-cured.

September 14, 2020

The supplier informed Honda that certain tires may have been over-cured due to errors in the curing process. Honda placed a yard hold on all vehicles at the factory that had tires installed with DOT serial number and mold numbers that matched the suspect tires.

September 24, 2020

The supplier notified NHTSA of a potential defect involving Honda vehicles (20T-018).

October 27, 2020

The supplier amended defect notification 20T-018.

November 6, 2020

Honda met with NHTSA to discuss defect notification 20T-018.

November 13, 2020

Honda determined that a defect related to motor vehicle safety existed and decided to conduct a safety recall.

As of November 13, 2020, Honda has not received any warranty claims, field reports, nor 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 inspect all four tires and replace tires with the affected DOT serial number and mold number for free. Owners who have paid to have these repairs completed at their own expense will be eligible for reimbursement, in accord with the recall reimbursement plan on file with NHTSA.

573.6(c)(8)(ii)

The estimated date to start notification to dealers: November 21, 2020

The estimated date to start notifications to owners: January 11, 2021

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 communications 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: U8Y

Next Unread Message View Message
DATE: November 21, 2020
TO: All Honda Sales, Service, & Parts Managers, and Personnel
FROM: Brad Ortloff, Manager of Auto Campaigns and Recalls
Re: Stop Sale/Safety Recall: 2021 Pilot Continental Tires
On October 27, 2020, Continental Tire the Americas, LLC (CTA) formally notified NHTSA of a safety recall
related to certain improperly manufactured tire(s) that may cause the sidewalls to crack, burst or lose
tread while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. The total population of tires, affecting multiple
vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket, is 11,728.
On November 20, 2020, after an internal investigation of production records, American Honda notified
NHTSA of a stop sale and safety recall for 214 model year 2021 Pilot units that were potentially affected by
this defect. Refer to your eResponsibility report or do an iN VIN status inquiry to determine which units in your
inventory are affected by this range.
Please note that American Honda is only recalling affected vehicles that were originally built with
possibly one or more of these affected tires. CTA is handling the replacement of any aftermarket tires
with this defect separately and directly with dealers. Click here for information from CTA related to the
handling of aftermarket tires, including the identification of customers and the submission of claims
regarding these parts.
Failure to repair a recalled vehicle as necessary prior to sale may subject your dealership to claims or
lawsuits.
BACKGROUND
Affected vehicles may be equipped with one or more tires that were cured for a time beyond the
specification limits. Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or
a belt edge separation, which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of
vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
REPAIR
Tires will require an inspection and photograph claim submission to verify that they are affected, and
will be replaced as necessary.
PARTS
New replacement tires will be made available through your authorized Honda Tire Center (TireRack
Wholesale Solutions: 877-327-8473). American Honda expects only a small quantity of tires will be
affected by this recall.
Sent on 11 21 2020 Expires on 01 09 2021
From Brad Ortloff, Manager of Auto Campaigns and Recalls
Subject Stop Sale/Safety Recall: 2021 Pilot Continental Tires
INTERACTIVE NETWORK
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Page 1 of 2
TOOLS
There are no special tools needed for this recall.
SERVICE BULLETIN
Service bulletin 20-097, Safety Recall: 2021 Pilot 20” Continental Tire has been posted to the Service
Information System (SIS) as of November 21, 2020. It includes parts, inspection, repair, and warranty
information related to this recall.
CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
American Honda expects to complete customer notification by early January 2021.
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 2 of 2