NEWS:    Honda recalling 34,300 Fit subcompacts

ConsumerAffaris.com -- August 28, 2008 -- Honda is recalling 34,300 Fit subcompacts from the 2007 and 2008 model years because of a faulty wiring harness connected to the passenger side airbag sensor.

The sensor is designed to prevent the airbags from deploying when a child is seated in the front passenger seat.

Honda will replace the wiring harness.

The recall covers Fits that were sold or registered in 22 U.S. states that use road salt, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

"Salt from the snow on the driver's shoes will melt and may penetrate the carpet and leak into the wire harness," NHTSA reported. "Corrosion may occur and the wire may break, causing the SRS indicator light to illuminate."

A short-circuit, according to NHTSA can cause the front and side airbags to deploy in a crash, even if a child is in the seat.

This "will increase the risk of injury to small or out-of-position occupants," NHTSA reported on its Web site.

The recall covers Honda Fits sold or registered in these states: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

DECEMBER 2008 -- Honda is recalling 34,300 MY 2007-2008 Fit vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The wire harness for the occupant detection system (ODS) and the occupant position detection system (OPDS) is routed underneath the carpet on the driver's side floorboard. In areas where road salt is used, salt from the snow on the driver's shoes will melt and may penetrate the carpet and leak into the wire harness. If the harness is exposed to salt brine, corrosion may occur and the wire may break causing the SRS indicator light to illuminate. A failure of the ODS and OPDS may not detect the presence of a child seat or an out-of-position passenger and deployment of both the front seat passenger's frontal and side air bags will not be suppressed. In the event of a crash, a deploying front passenger air bag or front passenger's side air bag will increase the risk of injury to small or out-of-position occupants. Dealers will inspect and replace the wire harness. The recall is expected to begin during January 2008. 07V-549