NHTSA Complaint #10091389 — 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY

I OWN A 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY VAN. MY PARTNER'S MOTHER WAS GETTING INTO THE BACK SEAT OF THE VAN LAST WEEK, AND GRABBED HOLD OF THE OVERHEAD HANDLE TO HELP HER UP (SHE'S 79 YEARS OLD), AND AS SHE STEPPED INTO THE VAN, THE HANDLE BROKE OFF THE CEILING, CAUSING HER TO FALL BACKWARDS ONTO HER BACK, ROLL BACKWARDS AND HIT HER HEAD ON THE ASPHALT. FORTUNATELY (MIRACULOUSLY), SHE DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURY (EXCEPT BEING A LITTLE SORE THE NEXT DAY). THIS WOMAN IS NOT A LARGE WOMAN...SHE IS ONLY 4'10" AND DOES NOT WEIGH ALL THAT MUCH. MY CONCERN IS THE POTENTIAL FOR INJURY THAT THE BREAKING OF THIS PART COULD POSE. I AM A SAFETY PROFESSIONAL (EHS MANAGER FOR MANUFACTURING), AND AM QUITE ATUNED TO HAZARD AWARENESS. THERE IS NOTHING IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL OR INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT TELLS YOU NOT TO USE THIS HANDLE TO HELP YOURSELF INTO THE VAN. IT APPEARS TO BE THERE FOR THAT PURPOSE. IT IS MADE OF PLASTIC ON THE OUTSIDE, AND EVIDENTLY (NOW THAT I CAN SEE WHERE IT BROKE) IT IS PLASTIC ALL THE WAY TO THE MOUNTING SCREWS. I WANTED TO REPORT THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS HAZARD, SO THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE EITHER IN THE DESIGN, OR IN THE WARNING SYSTEM. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A VERY SERIOUS INJURY (BROKEN HIP OR OTHER BONES, OR EVEN A HEAD INJURY). MY HONDA DEALER SIMPLY ORDERED A NEW PART TO BE INSTALLED. I CAN GUARANTEE THAT IF THERE WERE AN INJURY INVOLVED, THIS INCIDENT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A LAWSUIT. I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE TO LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SUBMIT THIS COMPLAINT. CAROL TOPITZER MILFORD, CT. *AK