Powering Down: 268,000 Honda CR-Vs Recalled for Window Switch Fire Hazard
By Patrick Masterson
December 16, 2020
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2006 Honda CR-V | Manufacturer image
Among a set of four large recalls issued Dec. 15 by Honda was one that affects more than 268,000 model-year 2002-06 Honda CR-V compact SUVs. The issue stems from a failure of the master switch for the driver-side power window.
Moisture may enter the switch, which could damage its wire harness and cause the switch to melt or fail. This, in turn, could lead to overheating or smoke, increasing the risk of a fire. Honda says it conducted a prior recall of the switches in its vehicles beginning October 2012, calling for repair of the switch rather than replacement. This new recall responds to moisture-related failures of switches repaired under the previous action. The automaker says no related injuries have been reported, but there have been 16 reported switch fires in the wake of the earlier repairs.
To resolve the issue, dealers will replace the power window master switch and inspect the wiring harness for damage, replacing it if necessary. All repairs will be done for free, and the recall is expected to begin Jan. 18. Owners with questions can call the automaker at 888-234-2138 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236 They also can visit its website to check their vehicle identification number and learn more.
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Patrick Masterson
Patrick Masterson is Chief Copy Editor at Cars.com. He joined the automotive industry in 2016 as a lifelong car enthusiast and has achieved the rare feat of applying his journalism and media arts degrees as a writer, fact-checker, proofreader and editor his entire professional career. He lives by an in-house version of the AP stylebook and knows where semicolons can go.