The Japanese automaker founded by Soichiro Honda back in 1946 has issued a recall affecting a small number of Honda and Acura vehicles produced for the United States market. Due to a part supplier assembly issue, certain driver's seat cushion frame bolts have been improperly torqued. Over time, said bolts could loosen and – eventually – fall off.
Why is that such a big deal? The absence of seat cushion bolts will result in rocking or wobbling of the seat. However, in case of a crash, an improperly secured driver's seat dramatically increases the risk of injury.
Adient is listed in the recall documentation as the supplier of the cushion frame. A software error in the robotic fastening machine led to a loss of synchronization between the torque tool controller and torque tool robotic arm controller, loosening bolts that were previously tightened to the correct specs.
Prompted by a warranty claim, American Honda Motor started looking into the recall condition back on July 31, 2023. The part supplier confirmed that the returned part was missing a bolt. Come August 2024, the automaker became aware of two incidents where the missing bolt may have fallen off. Two months later, the supplier advised Honda that vehicles equipped with improperly fastened bolts would create a noncompliance with the safety standard for seating systems.
Prior to deciding on recalling all potentially affected vehicles, American Honda Motor was aware of five warranty claims in total. Their receipt dates range from March 1, 2023 through November 5, 2024. Registered owners will be informed of the condition by first-class mail. Notification letters will be mailed on or about January 6, 2025.
Photo: Honda
Dealers are to replace suspect driver's seat cushion frames with properly assembled frames. Adient righted its wrong on February 2, 2024, by changing the software program of the bolt-tightening equipment at its facility. Furthermore, the supplier also implemented a torque inspection process.
Regarding the 121-strong recall population, the Accord and Accord Hybrid are listed under model years 2023 and 2024 with production dates of July 21, 2023 through December 20, 2023 and April 4, 2023 through December 14, 2023. The list further comprises the Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, HR-V, and the Integra and Integra Type S from the Acura brand. As you're well aware, the Integra is joined at the hip to the Civic.
The largest of affected vehicles is the Pilot, namely 2023 and 2024 models produced between March 1, 2023 and November 16, 2023. A three-row crossover with up to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms) of towing capacity, the Pilot starts at $40,200 before destination charge and other fees and taxes.
It's not the most expensive model included in this recall, though. The Civic Type R-twinned Integra Type S would be it, for Acura charges an eye-watering $52,600 from the outset. By comparison, $45,595 is the base price of the 315-horse Honda Civic Type R.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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