NHTSA Complaint #10071019 — 2003 HONDA ACCORD

HONDA 2003 ACCORD IS EQUIPPED WITH A "DESIGN DEFECT" OF COSTLY AND POTENTIALLY HARMFUL, FROM A SAFETY STANDPOINT, DEFECT. THE LOWER "GRILL" ON THE FRONT BUMPER IS DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT ANY ROAD DEBRIS SMALLER THAN A 16" X 8" CONCRETE BLOCK CAN ENTER AND DAMAGE A FULLY-EXPOSED AND UNPROTECTED AC CONDENSER. IT IS CLEARLY UNPROTECTED FROM THE HARSH OUTSIDE ELEMENTS. THE AC IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE SAFETY OF THIS AUTOMOBILE IN THAT TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD FROM ANY MOISTURE ON THE INNER SURFACE, THE AC MUST BE ACTING IN PROPER FASHION. IF A CAR'S INSIDE GLASSES "FOG-UP" WITH MOISTURE , THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO TURN ON THE MOISTURE WRINGING AC UNIT, REGARDLESS OF THE TEMP OF THE AIR, THE DEHUMIDIFIER EFFECT OF THE AC CONDITIONED AIR IS AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY. THE CURRENT DESIGN OF THE GRILL/CONDENSER LEAVES IT VULNERABLE TO BE EASILY DAMAGED BY A BIT OF GRAVEL AS SMALL AS A BB PELLET. THERE IS NOT ANY SCREEN OR DEFLECTOR IN PLACE FORWARD OF THE CONDENSER TO PROHIBIT ANY ERRANT ROAD MISSILES FROM DAMAGING THE CONDENSER THEREBY CREATING THE SAFETY HAZARD OF A FOGGED WINDSHIELD AND MORE, A SIMPLE SCREEN OR DEFLECTOR COULD AND SHOULD BE INSTALLED TO PROTECT THE SAFETY FEATURE OF THIS CAR.