Joe Myers Ford Inc.

Burning Batteries Cause Honda Accord Recall

Honda recently reported that it will be recalling 1.2 million Accords, but not because of exploding Takata airbags. No, the cause of this recall is related to batteries that have the propensity to catch fire, according to the Associated Press.

At Joe Myers Ford Inc., we know that vehicle recalls happen all the time, so we're happy to share this recall notice with our customers in Houston and all over the State of TX. If you have a 2013-2016 Accord, do not panic, just contact Honda at the phone number we've provided at the conclusion of this blog.

The vehicles that are affected include all Accord midsize sedans from the 2013-2016 model years. The problems causing the recall stem from sensors that sit on the battery's negative terminal that not being properly sealed from moisture, according to Associated Press. Honda learned through testing and gathering feedback from Accord owners that when road salt gets in there, it can quickly corrode and cause an electrical short. This creates extreme heat and a potential fire, which could be obviously be a safety hazard, to say the very least.

One Accord owner on a Honda chat room expressed his concern about the issue and described problems he experienced with his battery. "At first it smoked, so I took it to the dealer," Daniel R. from St. Paul, Minnesota said. "They did something to it, but then about a month later it caught fire and damaged part of my motor. Luckily, Honda replaced the battery at no-charge and fixed a few other components that were damaged by the fire. They also told me that other Accord owners have had this same problem, so look at for an upcoming recall."

Honda is reporting four separate incidents of engine fires as a result of exposed battery sensors, but none of them has caused any serious injuries or fatalities. All four fires took place in states that utilize road salt during the winter.

As part of this recall, Accord owners will be notified and dealers will replace faulty sensors at no cost. Sensors that indicate no signs of corrosion will still receive an adhesive sealant and will be replaced once the parts when they become available.

Accord owners with concerns can contact Honda customer service at 1-888 946-6329 to find out the details about the recall and outline the next steps.

Sources: Associated Press, USA Today and LA Times