Honda is pulling back 344,187 Odyssey minivans made in 2007 and 2008 because an issue with the car's vehicle stability assist system software can give the van, the power to stop by itself the company said in a press release.
"Each time a vehicle starts moving after an engine restart, the VSA system calibrates the yaw rate sensor," the company said in a statement. "If the vehicle is driven in a specific manner, the VSA system will not properly complete that calibration and hydraulic pressure in the braking system can build. If this occurs without interruption, the pressure may be released into the brake circuit, causing heavy and unexpected braking without the driver pressing on the brake pedal and without illumination of the brake lamps, increasing the risk of a crash. Honda is not aware of any related crashes or injuries related to this issue."
Drivers can check to see if there vehicle's calibration system works correctly by logging onto www.recalls.honda.com. Drivers will also be able to check to see if they have an affected vehicle next month by contacting Honda at (800) 999-1009 and selecting option 4. The company's recall website can also be checked.
The company will send information to drivers about how they can correctly turn on their van so its brake system registers the way it is supposed to. Drivers will also get a new yaw sensor, which measures a vehicles speed, put in, but not until the spring since Honda does not yet have them available the press release reported.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began to look into the brake system issue June 22 after consumers contacted the agency to address concern.
"The vehicle may suddenly and unexpectedly brake hard, and without illuminating the brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash from behind," the adminstration said in the recall.
