NHTSA Complaint #10480223 — 2003 HONDA ACCORD

THE LOW BEAM LAMPS OF THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE FAILED 3 TIMES - TWICE IN THE DRIVER SIDE, ONCE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR HONDA AS OTHER HONDA MODELS HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE CAR, IT IS EXTREMELY COMPLICATED TO REPLACE THE BULB. AS NOTED IN THE CAR INSTRUCTION MANUAL, THE LINING FROM THE FRONT WHEEL WELL MUST BE REMOVED TO ACCESS THE HEAD LAMP BULB! THIS MAKES IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ANYONE OTHER THAN A HONDA DEALER TO REPLACE THE BULB. AS A CONSEQUENCE, REPAIRS TO THE HEAD LAMP CANNOT BE EASILY AND QUICKLY MADE BY AN AVERAGE OWNER, FURTHER ADDING TO THE SAFETY HAZARD CAUSED BY THE LAMP FAILURE. HONDA SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THIS MODEL, REPAIR THE HEAD LAMPS, AND REPLACE WITH A NEW DESIGN TO ENABLE RAPID, SIMPLE BULB REPLACEMENT BY THE AVERAGE OWNER. REPLACING A MAJOR SAFETY ITEM ON AN AUTO SHOULD NOT BE SO DIFFICULT. HOW MANY INJURIES HAVE BEEN CAUSED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM?