Honda Recalling Over 570,000 Accord Sedans But Facing Delays

A giant Honda Accord recall will be delayed into next year because the automaker doesn't have enough parts to fix the problem. American Honda Motor Co. is expanding an earlier recall of Acura TL sedans to include 572,000 model-year 2003-2007 Accord V6 vehicles in the United States.

The automaker said the power steering hose may deteriorate and leak fluid. That might cause a loss of power-steering assistance or, if it leaks onto a catalytic converter, may result in smoke or in the worst case, fire.

But the updated power steering hoses won’t be available until early 2013. Honda is sending out a notice to Accord owners telling them of the problem and describing the symptoms. Drivers who think their cars are affected should take them into the dealership for an "interim" repair, the automaker said. The most commonly reported symptom is a smell from the seeping fluid.

Honda will send another letter out some months from now once the parts are ready, telling owners they can take their cars in to get the power steering hoses fixed with the new hoses.

No crashes or injuries have been linked to the problem, but Honda said one engine fire has been reported. The recall does not include 4-cylinder Accord models.

Earlier this year, 52,615 Acura TL models were notified for recall for this same issue, but Honda has now added 573,147 Accords to the list of potentially faulty vehicles.

Honda's recall campaign number for the original recall is S39. Honda's recall numbers for the additional vehicles are S59 (Inspection) and S60 (Remedy). Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

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