Honda to Issue Second Recall Involving 2011 Honda Odyssey; Latest Recall Involves Front Sidelites, Alleged Use of Incorrect Primer
March 28, 2011

2011 Honda Odyssey

Honda announced just a little more than a week ago that it has plans to recall its 2011 Honda Odyssey for a windshield wiper defect, and now the company has announced that it will conduct a second recall of the Odyssey for a potential defect in certain models' front sidelites, resulting from the alleged use of an incorrect primer.

The recall potentially could affect 2,800 vehicles manufactured between October 19 and October 27, 2010. The front sidelite assembly was manufactured by Pilkington North America.

In a March 21 letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Honda senior manager Jay Joseph describes the defect as follows.

"Due to application of the incorrect primer fluid to the driver and front passenger door power window glass, the holding clips that attach to the glass by means of adhesive may separate from the glass," writes Joseph. "If the holding clips fail to adhere to the glass, the driver and front passenger power windows will be unable to operate, and could bind or drop into the front doors. It is possible for the front side windows to shatter into the passenger cabin, causing a risk of injury to the vehicle occupants."

Honda first received a "warranty claim" due to the issue on December 2, and began investigating. On December 22, company officials say they "confirmed the incorrect glass primer had been applied."

Pilkington North America implemented "preventative measures on [the] production line]" on January 3, according to the information from Honda. However, as of March 8, Honda had received a total of 97 warranty claims-and decided on March 17 that a safety-related defect exists.

Honda plans to begin notifying vehicle owners on April 15, and its dealers "will replace either the passenger's and/or the driver's front door window glass, free of charge." Notifications are expected to be complete by May 5.

Pilkington officials had not responded to requests for comment at press time.

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