© Honda
The probe will include 1.1 million 2013-2015 Accords to look into complaints that the cars can suddenly lose steering control.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating the 2013-2015 Honda Accord over reports of loss of steering control.
- Reuters reported today that NHTSA will carry out an engineering analysis after 107 complaints and two reports of injuries. The initial petition, from October 2020, said an Accord owner experienced deviation from the intended path of travel without warning or driver input.
- The investigation will cover more than 1.1 million Accord cars and could lead to a recall.
UPDATE 5/10/21, 12:45 p.m.: Honda has issued a statement saying it is cooperating with NHTSA on this investigation, which is reproduced below.
Research
The 2013-2015 Honda Accord is being investigated after 107 reports of loss of steering control during driving under normal conditions. The probe, which covers 1,120,470 Accord cars in the U.S., could culminate in a recall if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) decides it is warranted.
NHTSA officially opened the investigation on May 6 based on an October 2020 petition from the owner of a 2013 Accord. This petition states that the driver lost steering control and the car deviated from its intended path of travel during normal driving and without warning. The owner describes it as a situation where "my vehicle repeatedly turned 90 degrees of its own volition," which they said "was replicated by Honda dealership mechanics."
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation will now open an engineering analysis to "assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety-related consequences" of the problem. A Honda spokesperson gave Car and Driver this statement: "Honda takes all safety-related concerns seriously and will continue to cooperate with NHTSA through the investigation process, as we also continue our own internal review of the available information."
We will update this story as more information becomes available. In the meantime, owners can check the NHTSA recalls site for more information.