Low Beam Headlights

An NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation into Honda vehicles. Closed 20 December 2010.

Investigation
PE10037
Type
Preliminary Evaluation
Opened
16 September 2010
Closed
20 December 2010

What NHTSA investigated

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of December 15, 2010, American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall of model year 2007 and 2008 Honda Fit vehicles to repair the headlights.The recall will remedy a defect in the low beam headlight circuit that can cause a total outage of the low beam headlights.Honda's DIR states: Due to a variation in the assembly sequence when installing the wiring harness for the combination switch that controls the headlights, the wires for the low beam headlight circuit can be pulled tighter than the wiring for the other functions controlled by the combination switch.After repeated use of the headlight switch, the electrical connector terminal for the low beam headlight circuit can become worn as a result of this tension, which can result in low conductivity and cause an accumulation of copper oxide in the area of the contacts.In some cases the poor conductivity may cause the terminal ends to melt within the wiring harness connector.If this occurs, the low beam headlights can become inoperative, increasing the risk of a crash. Honda dealer's will inspect the combination switch and wiring harness and remedy the defect free of charge.Please see safety recall file 10V624 for recall details

The recall that followed

  1. Honda — Exterior Lighting: High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch10V62400015 December 2010143,083 vehicles

Vehicles covered

MakeModelModel years
HondaFIT2007–2008

Source

From NHTSA’s investigation file, rebuilt daily. To report a problem with your own vehicle, go to nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. All open investigations.