HONDA Motor last week recalled 936,000 cars worldwide, mostly its Jazz subcompact (called Fit in some countries), because of defective power window switches. Locally, Honda Cars Phils. Inc. (HCPI) issued the same notice for 19,143 cars, but later on reduced the number to 14,883 units. HCPI said it determined that the 4,260 other cars that were initially included in the recall have a different design for their power window switch as these came from another parts supplier.

Included in the Honda recall are Jazz models built from 2005 to 2007, City sedans from 2006 to 2008, and CR-V sport-utes from 2005 to 2006. Honda said that it had recalled 216,193 vehicles in Japan, of which 203,777 are Jazz cars. Another 255,766 vehicles are being recalled in China, about 290,000 elsewhere in Asia (including those in the Philippines) and 103,000 units in North America.

HCPI clarified that certain Honda City units it sold that were equipped with central door locks are not included in the recall.

Honda said that in the worst-case scenario, the switch could partially melt and its cover could catch fire, although no one has been injured because of the defect, the carmaker had assured.

According HCPI, a silicon component commonly found in air fresheners or automotive cleaning agents enters into the power window switch, accelerating wear in the contact area and, over a certain time, particles can accumulate between the switch’s power source and ground contact—which may then heat up or carbonize. This may produce smoke or a partial burning of the window switch cover.

HCPI’s head for sales and corporate communications Voltaire Gonzales apologized to owners of the vehicles that were previously included in the recall. The company had posted on its www.hondaphil.com website the complete and updated listing of Jazz, City and CR-V that were recalled. HCPI said that replacement of the window switch of affected vehicles will be performed without charges, and that the process should take around 30 minutes—excluding the waiting time. So it advised that customers schedule an appointment in advance by getting in touch with their dealerships or through 1-800-1000-Honda (46632) and 857-7240.

FAST TIMES