Honda Canada will voluntarily recall approximately 24,600 Odyssey vehicles from the 2007-2008 model years in Canada to remedy an error in the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) system software, free of charge. Due to a combination of VSA system components and software that is unique to 2007-2008 model year Odyssey vehicles, it is possible for the VSA system to apply the vehicle’s brakes unexpectedly under certain conditions. Each time a vehicle starts moving after an engine restart, the VSA system calibrates the yaw rate sensor. 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.
An updated yaw sensor will be installed in affected Odyssey vehicles to remedy the error in the VSA software. However, the yaw sensor will not be available until spring of 2014. As a result, owners of affected Odysseys will receive an initial notification by mail informing them of the recall and the steps they can take at vehicle startup to help ensure proper VSA system calibration. When the updated yaw sensors are available in spring of 2014, vehicle owners will receive a second mailed notification instructing them to take their vehicles to a Honda dealer for the free repair.
Initial mailed notification to customers is scheduled to begin in December 2013 with the second notification to follow in spring 2014 as replacement parts become available. During the interim period, concerned owners of 2007-2008 Odyssey vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicles are included in the recall by visiting www.honda.ca/recalls or by calling 1-888-9HONDA9. Owners of affected vehicles will be able to view instructions detailing methods to prevent this issue by visiting the website.
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