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Honda is recalling over 428,000 vehicles because they could roll away if improperly parked. The Honda recall is necessary due to a defect in the ignition/parking mechanism. The vehicle recalls include Accords, Civics and Elements from 2003 to 2004, in the United States and Canada and Acura 1.7ELs in Canada only.

The Honda recall was issued because the ignition interlock lever could malfunction, the device is designed to keep drivers from taking their key out of the ignition before the vehicle is put in park. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the key can be removed from the ignition without the transmission being in park in some automatic transmission vehicles. Due to this issue, Honda received 11 complaints of interlock failure that resulted in a rollaway crash. In one case, the driver said that she was almost in her house when she saw her car rolling out of the garage and down the driveway. As she tried to stop the car it nearly ran over her and eventually crashed into a cable box, the NHTSA reports.

"Honda has received several complaints about such failures in these vehicles and is aware of a small number of related incidents, including one that resulted in a minor injury," the Japanese automaker said in a statement.

It has been a busy year for car makers when it comes to recalls. Toyota recalled 8.5 million vehicles after acceleration and breaking malfunctions prompted a series of accidents and lawsuits. As consumer awareness has been raised, more auto recalls from other manufacturers have occurred. Since 2003, Honda has recalled more than 1.4 million automobiles due largely to the same ignition related problem, although the auto maker has stated that different parts have caused the problems.

Related Resources:

• Accident and Injury Center (FindLaw)
• Defective and Dangerous Products (FindLaw)
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)