Honda recalls over 2,000 Accord coupes in the UAE

Honda has recalled over 2,000 Accord coupes in the UAE due to a fault in the automatic transmission.

DUBAI // Honda is recalling more than 2,000 of some of its Accord coupe models due to a fault in the automatic transmission that could stall the engine during gear changes.

The move allows for a software update to the transmission that would resolve the issue.

The recall affects owners of the Accord model sold from 2008 to 2010, and is part of a worldwide recall involving 2.5 million cars in the United States and China.

Honda said no injuries or deaths have been reported related to this issue.

"We have about 2,097 vehicles in the UAE affected by this," said Arijit Basu, the general manager of sales for Honda Middle East.

"The models affected are the coupes, and they are the ones that require the software update."

He said Honda in the UAE had not received any complaints from customers, but decided to implement the recall as a precaution following complaints in Japan and the US.

"It is a simple change that once done will update the [automatic] transmission unit," he said. "We will contact the owners immediately through our database, and the work will be done free of charge."

The problem relates to a bearing that was not built with enough strength. As a result, it may create an "abnormal noise" or cause the engine to stall when changing gears quickly in some circumstances, the company said.

"Without the updated software, the automatic transmission secondary shaft bearing in the affected vehicles can be damaged if the transmission is quickly shifted between each of the reverse, neutral and drive positions, as may be done in an attempt to dislodge a vehicle stuck in mud or snow," said a statement on Honda's US website. "If the bearing is damaged in this unusual scenario, it can cause the engine to stall or lead to difficulty engaging the parking gear."

The update to the automatic transmission control module software will ease the transition between gears to reduce the possibility of damage, said the statement.

In the United States, certain 2005-2010, 4-cylinder Accord, 2007-2010 CR-V, and 2005-2008 Element vehicles will be included in the voluntary recall, said the company.

It was Honda's second recall of the summer.

In July, Honda recalled almost 7,000 Civics sold in the UAE between 2009 and 2010 because of a fault in the water cooling system that could shut down the car's engine.

In May 2010, Honda recalled 245 cars due to faulty brakes, affecting the Odyssey and Element models made in 2007 and 2008.

In February of this year, UAE Honda owners were unaffected by a global recall of almost one million 2001 and 2002 Accord, Civic, Odyssey and CR-V models due to faulty driver-side air bags.