Investigation: Honda Odyssey for sudden airbag deployment, Pontiac G6 for faulty brake lights

The U.S. government is investigating two car models for airbags that can inadvertently deploy and brake lights that can fail to switch on while stopping, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

NHTSA received six complaints from owners of 2003-2004 Honda Odyssey models alleging that their front airbags deployed without warning or a crash. The agency said it received 41 additional complaints regarding illuminating air bag warning lights, although the two issues are not necessarily linked. Honda sourced its airbags from supplier TRW, which also supplied airbags for nearly 920,000 Jeep models that were recalled in November for inadvertent airbag deployment. The Odyssey's airbags contain the same electrical circuit that was prone to "overstress" in the Jeep models, the filings said. As many as 320,000 vehicles may be affected.

In December, Honda recalled 870,000 vehicles for faulty ignition interlocks that can let the autos roll away unexpectedly when parked, including the 2003-2004 Odyssey.

In April 2013, Honda, along with five other automakers  that share the same parts, recalled 561,000 cars, including the 2002 Odyssey, for front passenger airbag inflators that could rupture and injure occupants during a crash.

General Motors sent NHTSA more than 1,100 reports of brake light malfunctions on the 2005-2008 Pontiac G6, a discontinued midsize sedan. The complaints, along with at least 314 sent directly to NHTSA, allege that the light operation was reversed; the brake lights illuminated when the brake pedal wasn't depressed and switched back off when the pedal was depressed. Other complaints show that some G6 models were difficult to shift from the park position and that the cruise control system did not function properly. GM also reported more than 14,000 related warranty claims regarding the brake lights. About 551,511 cars may be affected.

On June 5, General Motors recalled 1,627 cars from the 2013 and 2014 model years to fix brake lights that could flash intermittently and cruise control systems that could switch off.

While NHTSA investigations often lead to recalls, this is not always the case. No recall is official until the manufacturer announces it formally to the agency.


Source: MSN