2007-'08 Honda Fit Recalled for Possible Fire Hazard

DETROIT — Honda confirmed for Inside Line on Friday that it is recalling 140,000 2007-'08 Fit vehicles in the U.S. because of a master power window switch problem that could overheat and catch fire. The recall is part of worldwide recall of 646,000 Honda Fit/Jazz vehicles built between 2002 and 2008. The Honda recall comes on the heels of a major worldwide recall of Toyota vehicles for faulty accelerator pedals, a devastating one-two punch for Japan's two largest automakers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which oversees recalls in the U.S., has yet to post any information about the Fit recall.

But Honda's Detroit spokesman Chuck Schifsky, responding to an e-mailed query, said: "We have confirmed seven reports of malfunctioning switches that resulted in overheating and two fires due to this cause in the U.S., with no reports of injuries in the U.S."

He said that "in some very limited instances, when an extreme amount of liquid, such as rain or melted snow, floods the master power window switch in the driver's door, it may result in a switch malfunction with a potential for overheating."

While there is no formal timetable for the U.S. portion of the recall, Schifsky said that "we will notify each customer by mail with instructions about how and when to have their vehicle inspected and updated at an authorized Honda dealer.

"If customers notice any malfunction with the master power switch in the driver's door, we encourage them to have their vehicle inspected as soon as possible. It is important for our customers to note that the current-generation 2009 and 2010 Honda Fit models are unaffected by this recall."

In a separate statement, Honda's UK arm said it is contacting 171,372 owners of the 2002-'08 Honda Jazz to check the master power window switch as part of the larger recall.

Honda Motor said on Friday it will recall 646,000 units of the Fit/Jazz and City globally in such markets as North America, South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia, according to media reports. There is one reported case of fire due to the defect in South Africa.

Inside Line says: If you own the 2007-'08 Honda Fit, have it checked out with your dealer ASAP. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent