NHTSA Complaint #10368788 — 2003 HONDA ODYSSEY

THE TOP BRACKET HOLDING THE ALTERNATOR TO THE ENGINE BLOCK FAILED AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VAN. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE OF THE TOP BRACKET, THE STRESS ON THE MAIN SERPENTINE BELT CAUSED THE BOLT HOLDING THE ALTERNATOR IN PLACE TO SNAP OFF AT THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS CAUSED THE ALTERNATOR TO BECOME LOOSE AND CAUSED A BURNING SMELL TO COME INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE ALTERNATOR LOOSE AND UN-ATTACHED POSES A POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITH THE PULLY SYSTEM AND THE POWER STEERING WHICH MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I REPORTED THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON OCTOBER 25TH, 2010. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT HONDA IS AWARE OF AND NOT CORRECTING WITH A RECALL AND ADDITION OF A RE ENGINEERED AND STRENGTHENED TOP ALTERNATOR BRACKET. I AM ALSO VERY CONCERNED THAT FAILURE OF THIS PART/SYSTEM WHILE MY WIFE AND CHILDREN ARE DRIVING THE VAN WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY OR DEATH TO MY FAMILY. I HAVE CALLED HONDA AND THEIR SOLUTION OR RECOMMENDATION IS TO REPLACE THE PART AND USE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. THIS HAS NOT WORKED 2 TIMES SO FAR AND MY MECHANIC TRIED TO WELD AND ADDITIONAL PIECE OF METAL TO THE OEM BRACKET TO MAKE THE BRACKET STRONGER, AND THIS DID NOT WORK.