Honday Odyssey minivan recalled due to fire risk

Honda is recalling some 886,815 Odyssey minivans manufactured between 2005 and 2010, citing a risk of fire due to a possible fuel leak. The cause of the recall, which was announced on the NHTSA website on March 13, is a a cover on the fuel pump strainer which Honda believes can deteriorate and crack. The manufacturer stated that the fault can lead to a fuel smell or to a fuel leak which would pose a risk of fire. No crashes or fires have occurred so far as a result of this defect.

Parts necessary to fix the recalled minivans are not yet available, and Honda plans to start notifying owners of affected vehicles in April of this year, with a fix to follow during the summer. Furthermore, Honda said that any vehicles which have already developed leaks will receive a temporary fix in the form of a replacement cover for the fuel pump strainer. All affected Odysseys will eventually receive a redesigned fuel pump strainer cover once it's developed and distributed to dealers for installation.

It's important to point out that not all U.S-market Honda Odyssey minivans are affected by this recall; only the ones assembled at the automaker's Alabama plant. Honda is currently investigating the cause of the deterioration of the cover, which it suspects may be tied to corrosion caused by car wash chemicals.

Honda Odyssey owners who suspect that their vehicle may be one of those affected can contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009, or call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236. More information can also be found at the NHTSA website.

By Jay Ramey