NHTSA Complaint #10169209 — 2002 HONDA ODYSSEY

SPOUSE WAS LEAVING HOUSE DRIVING OUT THE DRIVEWAY WHEN SHE STOP THE CAR DUE TO SMOKE COMING FROM CENTER CONSOLE. SHE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND INFORMED ME OF SMOKE AND SMELL IN VEHICLE. I GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND RAN TO CAR. NO VISIBLE FIRE PRESENT OR SMOKE BUT JUST A BURNED ELECTRICAL SMELL. INSPECTED WIRING THAT WAS VISIBLE AROUND CENTER CONSOLE AND NOTHING DISCOVERED AT THAT TIME. VENTED CAR AND RESTARTED WITH NO INCREASE IN BURNED SMELL OR MORE SMOKE. OPERATIONALLY CHECKED VEHICLE AND HAD NO RADIO SOUND. NO FUSES BLOWN IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND WAS NOT ABLE WITH ANY POSITIVE ASSURANCE AFTER TWO HOUR OF TROUBLESHOOTING WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. WANTED TO START SWAPPING PARTS TO ISOLATE FAILURE. THOUGHT THE $1000 RADIO OF THE DVD ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM COULD BE BAD. TOOK CAR HOME AND REMOVED INTEGRATED RADIO AND DISMANTLED ONLY TO FIND A BURNED UP POWER SUPPLY ON ONE OF THE INTERNAL CIRCUIT BOARDS. SENT RADIO OUT FOR REPAIR FOR $200 INSTEAD OF $1000 REPLACEMENT COST. POOR TROUBLESHOOTING BY DEALER COULD HAVE LED TO FUTURE FIRE IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *JB