Honda Is Set to Recall 1.5 Million Vehicles to Avoid Transmission Problems

Year/Make Model:

2005-2010 Honda Accord

2007-2010 Honda CR-V

2005-2008 Honda Element

Potential Vehicles Affected: 1.5 million (4-cylinder vehicles)

Reason for the Recall: Honda will voluntarily recall vehicles in the U.S. to update the software that controls the automatic transmission.

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.

Corrective Action: The update to the vehicle's automatic transmission control module software will ease the transition between gears to reduce the possibility of damage. No injuries or deaths have been reported related to this condition.

Notification to customers: Recalls will be sent out on August 31, 2011.

When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end, in addition to contacting customers by mail, after August 31, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles require repair by going on-line to http://www.recalls.honda.com/ or by calling (800) 999-1009, and selecting option 4.