Honda to Recall 500,000 Cars

TOKYO, June 14, 2006; Reuters reported that Japan's Honda Motor Co. said on Wednesday it would recall and repair a combined 484,626 units of the Odyssey, CR-V and Step Wgn models in Japan and China to fix a faulty ignition switch that could cause the engine to stop.

The recall and repairs would cost the company around 2.73 billion yen ($23.70 million), a spokeswoman said.

Of the total, 483,185 units are in Japan and were built between October 1994 and May 1997, Honda said in a filing with Japan's transport ministry.

Another 1,441 Odysseys would be recalled in China, while 76,968 units of the exported Odyssey, CR-V and Step Wgn models may be subject to recall elsewhere, depending on local regulations.

Most of the exports cover the Odyssey minivan sold in North America. No accidents have been reported overseas so far, the spokeswoman said, while five people in Japan suffered burns from contact with melted ignition switches.