NHTSA Complaint #10418813 — 1999 HONDA ACCORD

THE NHTSA SHOULD BE AWARE THAT HONDA HAS FAILED TO NOTIFY MANY ACCORD OWNERS OF A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM, NAMELY, AN IGNITION SWITCH THAT MAY CAUSE THEIR CARS TO QUIT AT ANY TIME AND AT ANY SPEED. NHTSA RECALL 02V120000 OF MAY 16, 2002 INCLUDED THE 1997-1999 ACCORDS; HOWEVER, HONDA CLAIMS MANY OF THESE ACCORDS, INCLUDING OURS, WERE EXCLUDED DUE TO THEIR VINS AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE SWITCHES WITHOUT CHARGE. OUR 1999 ACCORD EX RECENTLY EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AND EXAMINATION OF THE OLD SWITCH (PHOTOS INCLUDED IN A LETTER TO THE NHTSA) SHOWED THAT DETERIORATION OF THE SWITCH CONTACTS CAUSED THE SWITCH TO REACH A TEMPERATURE SUFFICIENT TO MELT THE SOLDER ON THE V+ WHITE WIRE/SWITCH BOND. REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCH REMEDIED THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE SWITCH FAILS THE CAR QUITS IMMEDIATELY AND THE DRIVER IS LEFT WITH NO OPTION OTHER THAN TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD -- WHICH AT HIGH SPEED AND IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC MAY LEAD TO A SERIOUS/DEADLY COLLISION. UPDATED 08/17/11. *JB