NHTSA Complaint #10308522 — 2008 HONDA ACCORD

WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS EXPOSED TO WATER, WATER LEAKS IN THROUGH A SUNROOF DRAINAGE TUBE, ENTERING THE VEHICLE ADJACENT TO THE REAR, PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG. PER HONDA, IT WAS CAUSED BY A LEAF ENTERING THE DRAIN, AND IS SOMETHING I RISK HAPPENING ANYTIME THIS SUNROOF IS OPEN, OPERATING UNDER "NORMAL USE." AS CONFIRMED BY HONDA, BECAUSE THEIR SUNROOF CASSETTE DESIGN ALLOWS FOR THIS, THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO TO MITIGATE THE RISK, AND THERE IS NO WAY I CAN BE AWARE THAT IT HAS HAPPENED UNTIL THE DAMAGE IS DONE. ADDITIONALLY, NOWHERE IN ANY MANUAL DOES IT WARN OWNERS OF THIS RISK, THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS, AND ACTIONS TO TAKE. PER HONDA, IT MAY OCCUR AGAIN, BUT ALL I CAN DO IS WAIT AND SEE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, IN WHICH CASE THEY'LL 'FIX' IT THE SAME WAY, AND AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE DRAINS WERE DISASSEMBLED AND CLEANED, AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT NO DAMAGE HAD YET OCCURRED TO THE AIRBAGS, ELECTRICAL, UPHOLSTERY (MOLD), OR METAL (RUST/CORROSION). HONDA IS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE ACTIONS (IN ADDITION TO THEIR STANDARD RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH DO NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE), THUS THE PROBLEM IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE TO OCCUR. *TR