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If you own a late-model Honda Accord, CR-V or Element, you should go easy on the transmission and check if your vehicle is one of the 1.5 million Hondas being recalled for a software fix.
The automaker announced late Friday that a software update is needed to protect the vehicles' automatic transmissions. The vehicles in the voluntary Honda recall are the 2005-2010 4-cylinder Accord, the 2007-2010 CR-V and the 2005-2008 Element. Without the update, bearings might be damaged when the transmissions shift gears too quickly, the company said.
The company said: "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," a bearing could be damaged, which in turn can cause the engine to stall or lead to difficulty engaging the parking gear.
Honda owners will be notified starting at the end of August. The company also asked owners to check Honda's website for more details.
No deaths or injures have been reported in connection with this transmission problem, Honda said.
The Wheels blog of the New York Times notes, "The automaker has experienced a series of automatic transmissions problems over the years, including a recall of 1.1 million vehicles in 2004 and a class-action settlement in 2006."
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