Honda has released more details on their brake fluid leak recall, affecting the 2005 – 2007 Acura RL and 2005 – 2007 Honda Odyssey.

Around 528,000 cars are affected worldwide, with 471,820 of them in the US. The problem is that when using aftermarket brake fluids, they may not lubricate the brake master cylinder cup well enough. This can result in a leak, leading to a soft feeling when braking, and a gradual decline in braking performance.

Toyota has had to conduct a similar recall because both companies used the same provider for this particular part, Japanese Advics Co. Ltd.

Owners of the affected Hondas will be notified sometime within the next two months. A new brake master cylinder seal will be fitted to fix the issue.

Press Release

Statement by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Regarding Brake Master Cylinder Seal Recall: Selected 2005 to 2007 Acura RL and 2005 to early 2007 Honda Odyssey Vehicles

10/22/2010 – TORRANCE, Calif.

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., today announced a voluntary safety recall of 471,820 model year 2005 to 2007 Acura RL and model year 2005 to early 2007 Honda Odyssey vehicles to replace a seal in the brake master cylinder.

Honda made this decision to prevent the unlikely failure of a seal in the brake master cylinder. It is possible for the seal to fail if the Honda Genuine DOT 3 brake fluid installed at the factory is replaced with certain aftermarket brake fluids with reduced lubrication properties, followed by a manual brake bleed with full and rapid stroke of the brake pedal. This could cause the seal to become twisted within its retention groove. The twisted seal could then leak a small amount of brake fluid when the vehicle is used. A brake fluid leak due to this would cause the low brake fluid warning lamp to illuminate until repaired. Failure to repair the master cylinder seal would eventually result in a soft brake pedal and the possible loss of one of the two hydraulic braking circuits.

Drivers of affected vehicles should be aware that this condition will always cause the low brake fluid light to illuminate. If any of the vehicle’s malfunction indicators are illuminated, owners should take their vehicle to a dealer for repair immediately.
American Honda will begin to notify owners of affected vehicles within the next two months. Acura and Honda dealers will repair affected vehicles free of charge using a revised design of the brake master cylinder seal.

Owners are encouraged to contact their dealers for an appointment once notification is received by mail; owners of these vehicles can also periodically check for updates for Acura vehicles at www.recalls.acura.com or for Honda vehicles at www.recalls.honda.com . Acura owners can call (800) 382-2238; Honda owners can call (800) 999-1009 and select option number 4.

Source: Honda and The Detroit News