Honda is recalling nearly 700,000 vehicles around Asia and North America after it found a defective spring that could cause engines to stall.
Some of the carmaker's Fit, Freed and City compact car models are affected - though no accidents have been reported.
At least 72 complaints had been filed in Honda's home country of Japan, with 29 elsewhere the firm said.
The spring had been placed incorrectly in a small box inside the engine, a spokesman added.
The recall includes 167,000 vehicles in Japan, 156,000 in China, and 233,000 in the rest of Asia, Honda said.
About 122,000 cars were being recalled in North America it added.
Two months ago Honda recalled 1.35 million Fit cars over a headlight defect.
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Statement by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Regarding Lost Motion Spring Recall: 2009-2010 Fit
TORRANCE, Calif. – February 16, 2011 – Honda will recall 97,201 model year 2009-2010 Fit vehicles in the U.S. to replace the lost motion springs, components within the engine valvetrain. The lost motion springs, which are compressed by rocker arms in normal engine use, may bend or break over time resulting in abnormal engine noise and potentially causing engine damage or stalling. No crashes or injuries have been reported related to this defect.
Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of affected vehicles to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification of this recall from Honda by mail. Notification to customers will begin in early March 2011.
When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end in addition to contacting customers by mail, in early March, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicle requires repair by going on-line or calling. Honda owners can go to
www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009, and select option 4.
