Honda recalls CR-Vs of 2002-06 in fire risk

In this Aug. 20, 2006 photo, a long line of unsold 2006 Honda CRVs sits on the lot of a Honda dealership in the south Denver suburb of Littleton, Colo. Honda Motor Co. is recalling CR-V crossovers from the 2002 to 2006 model years because an electrical switch in the driver's side door could melt and cause a fire. Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
In this Aug. 20, 2006 photo, a long line of unsold 2006 Honda CRVs sits on the lot of a Honda dealership in the south Denver suburb of Littleton, Colo. Honda Motor Co. is recalling CR-V crossovers from the 2002 to 2006 model years because an electrical switch in the driver's side door could melt and cause a fire. Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (DAVID ZALUBOWSKI)
By Dee-ann Durbin, Associated Press
Posted: October 07, 2012

DETROIT - Honda Motor Co. is recalling CR-V crossovers from the 2002 to 2006 model years because an electrical switch in the driver's-side door could melt and cause a fire.

Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the recall Saturday.

The problem involves about 268,000 vehicles. Honda said rain or other liquids could enter through a driver's open window and damage the master power switch on the door. If that happens, the switch could overheat and melt, causing a fire.

NHTSA said owners should park CR-Vs from those model years outside until the recall is performed to avoid any property damage from a fire. A fire could start even when the ignition is off and the CR-V is parked.

Honda said it was not necessary to park the vehicles outside. The switch can be seriously damaged only if someone spills liquid onto it or lets a large quantity of rain water into the car through the driver's-side window, Honda spokesman Ed Miller said.

Customers concerned that their switches may have been damaged that way can ask a dealer to inspect their cars. Most vehicles will only need to have a cover plate installed inside the switch to prevent any liquid from coming in, Miller said.

Honda said owners have reported four fires but no injuries or crashes associated with the issue.

The company will begin contacting owners next month and will repair the vehicles for free.

It was the third major recall last week for the Japanese automaker, which usually sits near the top in J.D. Power and Associates' annual rankings of vehicle quality.

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