Investigations
Ignition Shift Interlock
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA09001 — closed, opened 2009-01-05 and involving the HONDA ELEMENT.
NHTSA investigation EA09001 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2009-01-05 and currently closed. The subject of record is HONDA ELEMENT, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for HONDA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2010-10-14 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA09001 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "On August 4, 2010, American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a ignition interlock defect in approximately 384,220 model year (MY) 2003 Honda Accord and Civic and MY 2..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related HONDA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
On August 4, 2010, American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a ignition interlock defect in approximately 384,220 model year (MY) 2003 Honda Accord and Civic and MY 2003 and 2004 Honda Element vehicles with automatic transmissions (Recall 10V-364). In a September 22, 2010 supplemental DIR, Honda expanded the scope of the recall population based on manufacturing and complaint data. The total population for the complete recall is approximately 551,498 vehicles. The information listed in this closing report refers only to the subject vehicles, MY 2003 Accords with automatic transmissions. According to Honda's DIR, "Under certain conditions the interlock lever of the ignition switch may unexpectedly deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated if the driver does not follow the typical shut-down procedure of shifting the gear selector to the Park position before rotating the ignition key to the off position. Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the Park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash." Honda's dealers will be instructed to inspect the ignition interlock switch and, if necessary, replace the original interlock pin and lever within the ignition switch and replace them with new, redesigned parts. This investigation is closed.
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other HONDA Investigations
Inaccurate Rear Passenger Seat Belt Warning Status
Loss of Motive Power
Inadvertent Deployment of Side Air Bags
Engine failure
No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.