NHTSA Complaint #10441201 — 2010 HONDA FIT

I MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT STRAIGHTEN. I WAS FORCED TO CONTINUE TURNING. IT WAS A CONGESTED AREA IN FRONT OF BOSTON BACK BAY RAIL STATION. LUCKILY, THERE WAS A SPACE IN THE DROP OFF LANE TO MY RIGHT WITH NO PERSON OR CAR IN THE WAY AND I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND STOP WITHOUT INJURING ANYBODY. MY HONDA FIT IS THE S MODEL WHICH HAS CONTROLS ON THE CROSS-BAR OF THE STEERING WHEEL FOR CLUTCH-LESS SHIFTING. THE RIGHTHAND CONTROL HAD CAUGHT ON MY WINTER COAT. AND PREVENTED THE WHEEL FROM RETURNING TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. NOTE THAT I AM SHORT (5'1") SO THAT I HAVE THE SEAT FORWARD IN ORDER TO REACH THE PEDALS. THIS PUTS ME CLOSER TO THE WHEEL THAN MOST PEOPLE. I COULD EASILY HAVE HIT A CAR OR PEDESTRIAN BECAUSE OF THESE UNNECESSARY SHIFTERS. THEY REALLY SHOULD BE REPLACED BY D 1 2 ON THE STICK SO THAT A DRIVER CAN ACCESS THE LOWER RATIOS WHEN NECESSARY WITH OUT THE DANGER OF GETTING CAUGHT. *TR