The problem
Honda is recalling 351,000 my 2003 accord vehicles. If water enters the windshield wiper motor breather port, which is designed to allow the motor to vent warm air during normal operation, it can result in corrosion inside the motor housing. This can cause a failure of the electrical circuit breaker inside the motor housing.
The risk
If the circuit breaker fails, it will cause the windshield wiper motor to become inoperative, which can increase the likelihood of a crash in certain conditions.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the windshield wiper motor for signs of corrosion. If no signs of corrosion are present, a cover will be installed over the wiper motor to prevent water from entering the wiper motor housing. If signs of corrosion damage are observed on the wiper motor, the motor will be replaced. The recall began on july 17, 2008. Owners may contact honda at 1-800-999-1009.
Contacts
Honda recall no. Q78. Customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (Tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.Safercar.Gov.
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Honda dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 08V169000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.