Honda is recalling 21,776 model year 2005 Odyssey Touring minivans equipped with a power operated rear liftgate. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website says the tailgate strut could fail, resulting in the power liftgate closing unexpectedly. We're thinking that could hurt if you happen to be under said opening when the strut fails.

Effected Odyssey owners can take their minivan to the nearest Honda dealer for repairs anytime and the dealer will inspect the liftgate struts and replace them free of charge. Owners can contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009 if they have any questions. Hit the jump to read over the NHTSA press release.

[Source: NHTSA]
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HONDA IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN INVOLVING MODEL YEAR 2005 ODYSSEY TOURING VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER OPERATED REAR LIFTGATE. THE POWER LIFTGATE GAS STRUTS MAY DETERIORATE UNEXPECTEDLY EARLY. STRUTS THAT HAVE WORN OUT PREMATURELY MAY FAIL TO HOLD THE POWER LIFTGATE IN THE FULLY OPEN POSITION, CAUSING THE POWER LIFTGATE TO CLOSE UNEXPECTEDLY.

Consequence:
INJURY MAY RESULT FROM A POWER LIFTGATE CLOSING UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN A PERSON IS WITHIN THE CLOSING PATH OF THE LIFTGATE.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GAS LIFTGATE STRUTS AND REPLACE IF WITHIN THE RECALL POPULATION. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MARCH 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AUTOMOBILE CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-999-1009.

Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .