NHTSA Investigating 580,000 Honda vehicles
A few days ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched two separate investigations into Honda’s two very popular family haulers. The cars in question are the Odyssey minivan (MY 2018-2022) and the three-row Pilot SUV (MY 2023-2024).
Out of the roughly 583,000 vehicles suspected, the NHTSA is closely investigating over 140,000 Pilots for issues related to an inaccurate rear seatbelt warning system. As for the Odyssey, the regulator received several complaints about the side airbags accidentally deploying, as if they had a mind of their own.
Per the NHTSA’s findings, around 440,000 Honda Odysseys seem to have been affected. Not that the Pilot is any better or anything, but the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received 19 complaints regarding the Odyssey, but only six against the Pilot. As you can probably tell, there are no winners here.
Distracting, and Potentially Dangerous
Although they’re not recalls, owners should find the investigations a bit concerning. The last thing you want as you drive around with your family is to worry about malfunctioning airbags and seatbelt warnings. The Pilot’s faulty system could prove serious, especially if you have kids in the back. The governing body states that inaccurate information of this nature can cause the driver to believe the rear occupants are buckled in, when in fact, they are not.
Owners of Odysseys made between 2018 and 2022 reported the airbags going off without warning just as they hit a pothole. Mind you, these things can be very loud. Not only is it distracting, but according to the NHTSA, airbags deployed while a vehicle is in motion can lead to the occupants seriously injuring themselves. Ironically, what was supposed to be a safety feature is clearly turning out to be a safety hazard.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. It’s likely that only some of the aforementioned cars got shipped with faulty gear. But as owners, it’s important that you stay aware. If you happen to own an Odyssey or Pilot from the said timeline and are experiencing these malfunctions, head over to the NHTSA’s website and report it.
About the author
Kiran Menon
News Editor