Vehicle stability assist malfunction spurs Honda recall in Canada

Honda Canada has announced a recall involving 7,800 vehicles to address potential malfunctions with the vehicle stability assist (VSA) system on the Pilot and three Acura models that could increase crash risk.

Honda Canada will recall approximately 3,200 Honda Pilot vehicles, 700 Acura RL vehicles and 3,800 Acura MDX vehicles from the 2005 model year, as well as 100 Acura MDX vehicles from the 2006 model year, in Canada, notes a statement from the company.

“If an electrical capacitor on the VSA control unit was damaged during manufacture, the VSA system could malfunction and apply a small amount of brake force for a fraction of a second, without any input by the driver. Further, if the driver applies the brakes during a VSA system malfunction, the amount of brake force applied could exceed the driver’s intended input,” the company adds.

The unexpected brake activation could increase the risk of a crash. Honda Canada has received several complaints about VSA malfunctions in the vehicles, although no crashes or injuries have been reported.

Honda and Acura dealers will install a new electrical sub-harness, free of charge, on affected vehicles to remedy the potential defect.

Last December, Honda Canada issued a recall for 52,000-plus minivans and SUVs in Canada and hundreds of thousands more worldwide because of a roll-away risk.

Involving the 2003-2004 Odyssey and Pilot models, and the 2003 to 2006 Acura MDX model years, the recall followed discovery that the ignition interlock blocking mechanism could become damaged if excessive force was applied to the ignition key. As such, Honda Canada reported that it may become possible for the driver to remove the ignition key when the gear selector is in a position other than the park position, which could allow the vehicle to roll away.