Acura RL Recall 10V504000
Possible Brake Fluid Leak From Master Cylinder
Brakes, January 25, 2011
RepairPal Expert Overview
Our Quick Take:
Vehicles may lose braking ability due to fluid loss. In most cases, the brake warning light will illuminate, but it may not. Loss of braking ability can increase the risk of a crash.
What Should You Do?
We at RepairPal have designated this a high priority recall. The brakes may fail without warning. Please contact your dealer; they will check to see if your specific vehicle is affected and advise you on what to do next. Always have your vehicle identification number (VIN) handy when you call.
Use of incorrect brake fluid may cause a rubber seal in the rear of the master cylinder to become dry and leak. The leaking fluid will enter the brake booster and may not be visible externally. A loss of brake fluid can reduce braking efficiency, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the affected seal on all master cylinders, leaking or not. This recall is scheduled to begin during December of 2010. The Acura recall number is R52; the Honda Recall Number is R51.
Original Recall from the NHTSA
Model Year(s): 2005, 2006, 2007
Manufacturer's Report Date: January 25, 2011
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V504000
NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
Potential Number of Units Affected: 471,820
Summary: HONDA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ODYSSEY AND ACURA RL VEHICLES. BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING POLYMERS IS USED THAT ACTS AS A LUBRICANT FOR CERTAIN BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. IF REPLACEMENT BRAKE FLUID IS USED THAT DOES NOT CONTAIN SUCH POLYMERS, OR THAT CONTAINS ONLY SMALL AMOUNTS, A PART OF THE RUBBER SEAL LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER MAY BECOME DRY, AND THE SEAL MAY CURL DURING MOVEMENT OF THE PISTON. IF THIS OCCURS, A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID COULD SLOWLY LEAK FROM THE SEAL INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER.
Consequence: A LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID COULD LEAD TO A CHANGE IN BRAKE PEDAL FEEL AND OVERTIME A DEGRADATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER SEAL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HONDA AT 1-800-999-1009.
Notes: SAFETY RECALL NO. R51 HONDA R52 ACURA. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
Recall data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration