Honda Motor Co. has issued a world-wide recall of some 143 000 Honda Jazz / Fit models in order to rectify a problem with their power window switches. The recall is the second to address an issue with the cars’ door-mounted switch panels, after a faulty electric window switch on the driver’s door sparked the fire that killed two-year-old Vanilla Nurse in Cape Town in September 2009.
Honda Motor Southern Africa will voluntarily recall 20 630 model-year 2002 – 2008 Jazz vehicles in Southern Africa to replace the master power window switch. The company says that under some severe operating conditions, water, rain, or other liquid may enter the driver’s window and reach the master power window switch. The result could be a malfunction of the window switch’s circuit board, thereby preventing the window from opening and closing, or in rare cases, cause the circuit board to overheat and result in an electrical fire.
In 2010, a waterproof skirt was fitted to affected vehicles to prevent this defect occurring, however, it has now been discovered that over time a gap can develop between the switch and the skirt allowing the fault to occur again. Owners of vehicles from the affected model years will have their switch replaced with one surrounded by an acrylic seal with shape-following ability.
Honda will notify affected customers via mail in order to have their window switch replaced at an authorised Honda Dealer. Customers are also welcome to take the initiative and get in touch with Honda if they are concerned or experiencing problems. Customers should contact their local Honda dealer or contact Honda SA directly on: 0800 466 321 or care@honda.co.za.
