NHTSA Complaint #11454417 — 2008 HONDA CR-V

This vehicle had a wheel separation while traveling at low speed. The right rear wheel separated from the car. The cause is excessive rust to the trailing arm and specifically to the subframe to which the trailing arm is attached. The car is available for inspection. I also have photographs that show the problem. The safety issue is clear. After separation the car cannot be controlled if in motion. This particular vehicle has not been inspected. The wheel separation was reported by me to Honda in North America, to "Chris" in "client relations." A case number was issued for my complaint, #00499145. An insurance claim was made, but the insurer denied the claim. My research shows that this model CRV has been recalled in Canada for this precise problem. In Canada, Honda states that this model CRV has "excessive" rust, leading to failure. Further, that the problem is not readily apparent on inspection, and in fact this car is inspected annually as part of North Carolina licensure, and no inspection ever revealed the excessive rust threat. Here is the Honda press release: " January 23, 2019 Honda has voluntarily recalled approximately 83,953 2007-2011 CR-V vehicles in Canada to address potential excessive corrosion to the rear frame stiffener(s). On affected vehicles, one or both rear frame stiffener(s) may become excessively corroded over time. Such excessive corrosion may be more prevalent where a vehicle is regularly operated in regions where road de-icing salt is frequently used during the winter season. Although a certain amount of corrosion is expected to occur from everyday operation of the vehicle, excessive corrosion to the rear frame may result in frame stiffener perforation and, in extreme cases, cause the rear-trailing arm to separate from the vehicle’s frame structure. A separated rear-trailing arm may cause the vehicle to be difficult to control, increasing the risk of a crash."