Honda Motor America will soon be recalling a certain grouping of Element SUVs. The problem lies within the vehicle’s wiring for accessory trailers and because of a manufacturing mix-up, the lighting may not work properly. The wire in the harness that supplies power to a trailer’s turn signal was switched with the one that illuminates the brake lights. If left alone, a trailer would simply light up its turn signals when the Element’s brakes were applied. Not only does this violate the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108, but it could easily cause some seriously hazardous confusion.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Honda will be recalling approximately 5,216 vehicles. The Elements affected are 2007 through 2011 model year SUVs equipped with a trailer hitch wiring harness. Notification to owners should begin around September 20 and a remedy will take place at certified dealers. Technicians will simply repair the problem by switching wires and will do so at no extra cost to drivers.
Source: NHTSA
