Its Shop Time Mondays: Honda Is Recalling Over 700,000 Newer Accords And Civics

High-Pressure Fuel Pump May Leak

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V763000

Manufacturer Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)

Components FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Potential Number of Units Affected 720,810

2023 Honda Accord Hybrid Touring: The Brand’s 11th Generation Sedan Wears A More Mature Design

Highlight: This is the first Honda vehicle to have Google built in.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $38,985 (Base Model Sport Hybrid: $32,990)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; traction control; a stability control system; a rear camera; a tire pressure monitoring system; an automatic brake hold feature; a collision mitigation system; a road departure mitigation system; a lane departure warning system; a forward collision warning system; a radar activated cruise control system; a lane keep assist system; an electronic blind spot information system; automatic high beams; parking sensors; and a hill start assist system

2021 Honda Accord Sport SE 2.0T: The Brand's Refreshed Midsize Sedan

 

Highlight: In the Honda family, the Accord consistently ranks as one of the top two cars in terms of sales with those 35 years old and younger.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $32,865 (Base SE Model: $25,725)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; vehicle stability control system; a hillstart assist system; a lane keep assist system; an automatic high beam system; a road departure mitigation system; a forward collision warning system; a radar activated cruise control system; a traffic sign recognition system; a rear seat reminder; a rear seatbelt reminder; a tire pressure indicator; an automatic brake hold system; rearview camera; and a compact spare tire

Its Shop Time Mondays: Acura, Ford, Hyundai, Kia And Nissan Are In The Hot Seat

1. Unexpected Transmission Downshift

Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000

Manufacturer Ford Motor Company

2016 Honda Accord Touring Sedan: A Refreshed, High-Tech And Stylish Family Sedan

Highlight: This is one of the two midsize sedans in the competitive segment that offers a manual transmission.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $35,515 (base model $23,040)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a vehicle stability control system; traction control; hill start assist control system; a compact spare tire; a Daytime Running Lights; a rear view camera; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (Base Model): 16-inch wheels; a 6-speed manual transmission; automatic turn-off headlights; a dual zone automatic climate control system; illuminated steering wheel mounted controls; a multi information display center; a tilt/telescopic steering wheels; cloth seats; and manual adjustable front seats

2014 Honda Accord Touring: Makes Major Splash With The Return Of A Segment-Leading Hybrid System

Highlight: The Accord Hybrid is only available as a sedan.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $35,695 (base model $29,945)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; an exclusive LaneWatch right lane changing warning system; a lane departure warning indicator; a back up camera; a tire repair kit; LED brake lights; ABS; stability control; traction control; a heated driver’s mirror; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (base model): 17-inch wheels; cloth seats; a power driver’s seat; dual zone ventilation system; push-button keyless ignition starter; a keyless entry system; a tilt/telescopic steering wheel; illuminated vanity mirrors; a trunk lid spoiler; hybrid gauges; and a blue accented grille

2014 Honda Accord Sedan Touring: A Roomy, Well-Equipped Family Vehicle

Highlight: This is the only vehicle in the segment, offering a coupe.

Test vehicle’s MSRP: $34,270 (Base Model starts at $22,745)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags (driver, front and side); ABS; daytime running lights; electronic brake distribution; a tire pressure monitoring system; a traction control system; and a hill start assist system keeps the vehicle from rolling back, when stopped on an incline

Standard Equipment: 16-inches tires; a 6-speed transmission; automatic headlights; cloth manually adjusted seats; sliding front center armrest; illuminated vanity mirrors; a dual zone automatic climate control system; a manual tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel; and a rear seat center armrest

Suspension System:

Front-MacPherson  

Rear-Multi-link

Standard Audio: a 160-watt, 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles

2013 Honda Accord Coupe EX-L: Improving Upon A Staple In The Midsize Segment

 

Highlights: This is the ninth-generation Honda Accord. The vehicle has grown from being a compact to a roomy midsize sedan over the years.

Test vehicle’s MSRP: $33,140

Seating Capacity: 5 occupants

Standard Safety Features: airbags (driver, passenger, side and curtain); vehicle stability control; ABS; electronic brake distribution; tire pressure monitoring system; and daytime running lights

Standard Equipment: 18-inch wheels; automatic headlights; heated (front) leather seats; 10-way power driver’s memory seat; a voice-activated NAV system; a push-button keyless starter; a dual-zone automatic ventilation system; a tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a back-up camera; a rear deck spoiler; and an illuminated visor vanity mirrors.

Standard Audio: a 7-speaker 360-watt AM/FM/CD MP3 player with XM radio

Honda Going After Black And Hispanic Consumers with New Accord

This is a reprint from Automotive News..........

Honda's huge marketing launch for the redesigned 2013 Accord will include pitches aimed at Hispanic and black consumers."We're trying to connect in a cultural context," said Gina Jorge, Honda assistant manager of multicultural marketing.

It's a big responsibility for Honda. The Civic and Accord are traditionally among the three best-selling vehicles among Hispanic, black and Asian buyers.

The mass-market Accord commercial describes the trials and tribulations of people's daily lives. But the Hispanic version carries a message of striving to succeed in America.

The cinematography and feel complement the mainstream Accord commercials. The Hispanic spot shows two successful men -- one mature, one early in his career -- starting the day and going to work. They drive Accords and eventually arrive at the same workplace -- a father-and-son architectural firm.

Honda And Acura Adding New Vehicles

Yes, the editor of JeffCars.com stopped by the Acura display to see what was covered-up... Instead of being able to get the scoop, security decided to snap a photo of him.

Ok, this is what was under the sheet, the next-generation Acura NSX concept vehicle. Acura says this vehicle is being touted as a hybrid. The NSX concept will be be built in Ohio.

Before unveiling the next-generation Honda Accord, Honda decided to take us down memory lane by displaying the first-generation Accord during the first day of the auto show.

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.

GMC's Yukon Hybrid

While some of Washington’s political elite and the mainstream media spent last quarter bashing the Big Three for building too many gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks – one of GM’s manufacturing plants were producing a small batch of full-size GMC Yukon Hybrids and trucks, too.

Since many American families aren’t quite ready to ditch their gas-guzzling eight-cylinder vehicles, GM claims they have managed to build its popular eight-passenger Yukon by improving he gas mileage up to fifty percent in city driving. Is this an oxymoron you ask: Yukon and hybrid? No, it’s not. Over the past week I had an opportunity to drive the 6.0 liter eight-cylinder mammoth-sized SUV. To my surprise, not once did I have to swing by the gas station to add fuel.

In fact, I was able to achieve 425 miles from one tank of gas, before a low fuel warning message appeared on the standard navigational screen, advising of gas stations in the vicinity. I believe if GM would have allowed me one more day to keep the vehicle, I could have possibly squeaked out another 25 miles (before the tank was emptied.) I don’t know about you, but I can’t remember the last time I got 425 miles from one tank of gas out of a large SUV or a car for that matter.

Just as a point of reference, I was barely able to achieve 300 miles from a tank of gas from the six-cylinder manual transmission Honda Accord I drove for a week. According to fueleconomy.gov, a two-wheel drive Yukon Hybrid achieves a combined 21 miles per gallon, 5 miles more than a regular Yukon. And drivers can expect to save close to $400 in gas annually, when buying a Yukon Hybrid, as opposed to a non-hybrid Yukon. As of now, GM is the only automaker offering a hybrid in a large-sized SUV. Chrysler (and Dodge) offered a hybrid for a few months last year, before dropping the products, because of their finances.

Although the hybrids most Americans have become familiar with is Toyota’s popular space-age looking Prius, the Yukon retains the look and feel of a traditional SUV. With the exception of a few hybrid decals located on the exterior of the vehicle, the larger grill to accommodate the two-mode hybrid (electric motor and gas engine) conversion underneath the hood and the elimination of the front fog lights and tow hook openings and the exclusion of the roof rack rails to increase the aerodynamics, its almost difficult to distinguish a hybrid from a non-hybrid Yukon.

How the Hybrid Works

Overall the Yukon Hybrid drives just like any other SUV. Under the hood, this two-mode hybrid is much quieter than a typical vehicle. In order to maximize fuel-efficiency in the Yukon Hybrid, the electric motor automatically kicked in as long as I didn’t exceed 30 miles per hour. On the other hand, once I approached 30 miles per hour, the gas engine was activated. And being that this is an eight-cylinder SUV, I didn’t have to worry about sacrificing power. During heavy acceleration, both the electric motor and gas engine kicks in simultaneously, allowing me to maintain the momentum expected out of an eight-cylinder vehicle.

Moreover, there is a slight difference in the braking system in a hybrid. The Yukon uses a regenerative braking system, which is a type of hybrid technology that enables the electric drive motor to operate as a generator, when coasting or braking. Energy from moving the vehicle recharges the hybrid battery. At times, I noticed the motor driven pump recharging, while applying the brakes. Furthermore, when coming to a complete stop, it becomes quite apparent you’re driving a hybrid. (Those not familiar with a hybrid will assume the vehicle’s engine has been turned off, when coming to a complete stop. However, one shouldn’t be alarmed. This is the normal operation of a hybrid.)

Available Equipment

Besides a few modifications, making this a two-mode hybrid, this well-equipped vehicle includes all the features you would expect in any well-equipped SUV: a power sunroof, heated front seats, a leather seating area, a rear back-up camera integrated into the navigational screen and an electronic rear park assist system, which beeps alerting the driver of objects when backing up. I believe most buyers of the Yukon Hybrid will find the back up camera and the electronic assist system are the two best tools available for those who have difficulty navigating large SUVs.

Hybrid Pricing

If you haven’t priced a hybrid before, you may experience sudden sticker-shock (specifically when comparing them to their non-hybrid counterparts.) The two-wheel drive hybrid I drove listed for $50,920, before adding the rear seat entertainment system, which includes a video screen and headphones, and a power sunroof. If you opt for the four-wheel drive Yukon, tack on another $3,000 to the sticker. To put things in perspective, this vehicle is still less than the Yukon Denali – its more upscale sibling.

Also the IRS offers a tax credit to hybrid owners of about $2,200, helping to off-set some of the premium pricing found in most hybrids. And with sales of SUVs sagging and the gas prices hovering under $2.00 a gallon, savvy shoppers should be able to negotiate a pretty “sweet” deal on this vehicle. (However, don’t expect for deals to be as great as the non-hybrid SUVs.) Currently with gas prices being so low, it’s quite difficult to make a case to the buying public to consider going “green.”

In addition to the tax credit, small business owners may also qualify for a substantially larger tax write-off. Check with your tax accountant for more details. Unless you have a strong need to go “green,” I would recommend that you should only consider buying a hybrid, if you’re constantly driving in low-speed stop-and-go traffic.

To configure, price out or calculate the payments of a new Yukon Hybrid, visit JeffCars.com’s New Car-Buying Guide.