Martian

The following potential defect could cause a major accident. Ironically, the accident could be caused by the VDS which is nothing more than a save-your-ass system intended to compensate for poor skills and stupidity.


Complaint #10043222 to NHTSA

Go to
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...lain/index.cfm
Drill down through “Search” to 2003 Acura 3.2TL, to “SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK”.

Complaint reads:
Summary:
"YAW RATE SENSOR" FOR THE VEHICLE STABILITY ASSIST (VDS) SYSTEM MAY BE IMPROPERLY MOUNTED. THIS CAN CAUSE EITHER OF THE FRONT WHEEL BRAKES TO BE SUDDENLY AND FIRMLY APPLIED WITHOUT WARNING FOR UP TO ONE SECOND. POSSIBLE RESULT IS LOSS OF CONTROL OR REAR END COLLISION (BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT ACTIVATED). IMPROPERLY MOUNTED SENSOR WILL ALSO CAUSE THE VDS TO DEACTIVATE UNTIL ENGINE RESTART, ACTIVATE VSA SYSTEM INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ON THE TACHOMETER FACE, AND SET A YAW RATE SENSOR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE. HONDA HAS STARTED SUPPLYING YAW RATE SENSORS WITH A LOCATING PIN WHICH PREVENTS IMPROPER MOUNTING. BUT THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT HONDA HAS RECALLED TO CHECK THOSE VEHICLES BUILT OR REPAIRED WITH UNITS LACKING THE LOCATING PINS. THE UNIT IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO CHECK FOR PROPER MOUNTING. THIS PROBLEM PERTAINS TO 2003 & 2002 TYPE-S VERSIONS OF BOTH THE 3.2TL AND 3.2CL MODELS.”