Legally reviewed by: Chuck Panzarella, JD

On November 21, 2023, Honda announced a recall affecting over 303,000 vehicles, specifically the Honda Accord and Honda HR-V, due to a safety risk involving their seat belts.

The recall includes the 2023-2024 Honda Accord and the 2023-2024 Honda HR-V vehicles that were manufactured during a specific period of time when the installation of the rivet was skipped during assembly. If the front seat belt pretensioners were assembled without a rivet to secure the quick connector and wire plate, the seat belt would not properly restrain passengers in case of a collision.

How Do I Know If My Vehicle Is Affected By The Seat Belt Recall?

You can figure out if your Honda Accord or HR-V is affected by the seat belt recall by checking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) site. They have a tool that you can use to look up your vehicle model to see what recalls have been made to your vehicle.

Another way to find out is if your vehicle was manufactured between the production dates that Honda skipped the rivet installation. Here are the production dates that the rivet installation was skipped:

• For 2023-2024 Honda Accord – October 4, 2022 – October 14, 2023
• For 2023-2024 Honda HR-V – April 26, 2022 – October 14, 2023

Details Regarding the Seat Belt Recall

Honda first received a complaint about the seat belt issue on May 23, 2023. Honda later received the affected parts and started an investigation into the issue. Later on September 27, 2023, Honda investigated which vehicles might have been affected by the issue.

Then on November 16, 2023, Honda determined that there was a defect related to the motor vehicle safety and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) noncompliance and decided to issue a safety and noncompliance recall.

As of November 16, 2023, there were 7 warranty claims regarding the seat belt issue. There were also no reports of any injuries or deaths related to the issue from April 26, 2022, through November 16, 2023.

What Should I Do If My Honda Is Experiencing Problems?

If your Honda is experiencing problems that are still under warranty, you may be able to take legal action under the California lemon law. Here are some more information you may want to know:

• What is a recall? – A recall fixes a problem before it causes harm. Usually, the problem affects safety. The NHTSA watches over recalls. Companies can start a recall themselves or NHTSA can tell them they have to. Sometimes a car has a defect that the manufacturer can’t fix after trying multiple times. This “lemon” car can then be eligible for a replacement or a buyback under the lemon law.
• California Lemon Law – In California, a vehicle can be considered a lemon if it was taken to a qualified mechanic for repairs multiple times but the problem persists. The owners would be able to get a refund or a replacement vehicle.
• Recalls and Lemon Law – Recalls may be considered when determining if a vehicle is a lemon. When manufacturers issue a recall, they usually know what the problem is and are taking steps to remedy it. If a car owner is experiencing issues with their vehicle and the manufacturer issues a recall regarding the issue, they may argue that they are trying to resolve the issue proactively and that the vehicle should not be considered a lemon.
• Taking Legal Action – Sometimes, the manufacturer or dealer may not be able to successfully repair the defect. This usually means that the car falls under the lemon law and the owner would be eligible for a refund or replacement. If the owner does want to take legal action, consulting with a lemon law attorney can help you figure out if you have a lemon law case.

Having Problems With Your Honda? Contact Consumer Action Law Group!

Is your Honda continuing to have problems that persist after multiple repair attempts? If so, you may be driving a lemon car. The Lemon Law protects car owners who have purchased a lemon car and entitles them to a refund or a replacement vehicle.

If you believe that you have a lemon car, contact the experienced lemon law attorneys at Consumer Action Law Group today. Our firm offers free consultations and case evaluations to help you find out if you have a valid lemon law claim.