Honda has issued at least three recalls related to seatback problems in its Odyssey minivans. The latest recall took place in March and affects almost 255,000 2014-2016 Odyssey minivans. The issue involves second-row seatbacks that do not securely lock into place after the seats are moved to allow access into third-row seats. If the seatback stays unlocked or unexpectedly unlocks, there is an increased risk of serious injury during a crash. This is especially concerning since occupants in the back seat tend to be children who don’t weigh as much as adults. The recall was scheduled to begin on April 30, 2018 with dealers checking the functioning of the second-row outboard seatbacks and replacing the seatback if it fails to lock into place properly.
Reports of seatbacks that failed to lock securely began in February, 2015 and continued through December, 2015. At that time, Honda could not locate the source of the problem so a recall was not immediately announced. In November, 2016 the car manufacturer was finally able to determine what was causing the problem by using components delivered by its supplier. At that time, Honda concluded that seatback problems resulted from pawls in the recliner discs detaching from the plates that guide the seat. This stopped the seatbacks from properly locking into place. Honda also discovered that pawls located in the seat recliner discs may contain varied heights as a result of inconsistencies in embossment techniques during manufacturing. These variations may further contribute to separation of the pawl from the guide plate.
Honda recalled 634,000 Odyssey minivans in December, 2016 to repair seats that would not securely fasten based on these findings. Then, in 2017, Honda recalled 800,000 minivans after dozens of injuries were reported when second row seats did not latch fully and tipped forward after moderate braking. At that time, Honda provided a detailed guide demonstrating how to properly latch seats. The automaker received over 350 warranty claims related to this defect but has not reported any collisions or injuries associated with seatback failures.
If you or a member of your family suffered injury or death as a result of negligence or a defective automobile, contact the attorneys Alexander Law Group, LLP. Our exceptional personal injury lawyers will answer your questions and get you the maximum compensation that is possible. Call 888.777.1776 or contact us online.
