DECEMBER 2007 -- Honda is recalling 43,200 MY 2005-2008 Acura RL passenger vehicles. Prolonged high under-hood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely causing the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid. Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire. Dealers will install a new heat resistant power steering hose. The recall is expected to begin during January 17, 2007. 07V-551

NEWS:   Honda Recalls 43,200 Acuras Over Fire Risk From Hose

Dec. 18, 2007 Bloomberg.com -- Honda Motor Co. is recalling 43,200 Acura RL sedans in the U.S. to fix a power steering hose that may crack from engine heat and possibly cause a fire.

The recall by Tokyo-based Honda affects 2005-2008 models, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which posted the information yesterday on its Web site.

The cracked hose can release a volatile fluid onto a hot catalytic converter, leading to a fire, Honda said. The automaker received two reports of fires in Japan, triggering an internal investigation that led to the recall, according to a letter posted on NHTSA's Web site.

Honda began notifying owners yesterday, and dealers will install a heat-resistant hose, according to the letter from....a lawyer with Honda's Torrance, California-based U.S. unit.

The recall in the U.S. follows an earlier recall for the same model in Japan filed to the country's transport ministry on Dec. 6. Honda recalled 8,657 Acuras, known as the Legend in Japan, for the same reason, according to the filing.

NEWS:    Engine problems force Honda recall

WASHINGTON - March 19, 2007 - Honda Motor Corp. said Monday that it was recalling about 165,000 vehicles from the 2005-06 model years in the United States to deal with potential engine problems

Honda said the recall affected 2005 models of the Acura RL, TL and TSX sedans, 2005 Honda Accord coupes, sedans and hybrids, 2005 Odyssey minivans and 2006 Ridgeline trucks.

The move is part of a global recall because of similar problems, said Honda spokesman.... Details on the total number of vehicles and the number of countries where the vehicles were sold were not immediately available, he said.

The automaker discovered that sealer material leaked onto a coil wire inside the fuel pump relay on some of the vehicles. The wire can become brittle and snap, causing the engine to stall or fail to start.