By: Richard L. Smith
On Wednesday, Honda recalled a half-million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada because the front seat belts may not latch properly.
According to a statement released by Honda, the recall covers some of the automaker's top-selling models, including the 2017 through 2020 CR-V, the 2018 and 2019 Accord, the 2018 through 2020 Odyssey, and the 2019 Insight.
The recall may include the Acura RDX from the 2019 and 2020 model years.
Honda officials said the seat belt buckle channel for the seat belt installed for the driver and front passenger seats was manufactured out of specification, causing interference between the buckle channel and the release button.
Officials say with continuous use, the buckle channel surface coating may deteriorate over time, and the release button may shrink against the channel at low temperatures, increasing friction. This can result in issues with the seat belt buckle latching.
Consumers are advised that
if the seat belt buckle does not latch, the occupant may not be suitably restrained, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Honda officials said the seat belt buckle channel was manufactured out of specification, causing interference between the buckle channel and the release button.