Honda Recalls 561,000 Vehicles

Honda Motor Co. is recalling more than 561,000 vehicles in three models to replace a faulty part used in starting an engine, a company official said Wednesday.

Subject to the recall are 217,953 Odyssey minivans, 141,652 CR-V sport-utility models and 123,580 Step Wagon minivans, said Honda spokeswoman Yu Kimoto.

The three models involved were produced between Oct. 3, 1994, and May 15, 1997.

Of the total, a combined 78,409 vehicles were exported abroad, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Thailand and European countries, Kimoto said.

The vehicle's engine can suddenly stop because some of its parts can be damaged by heat if used repeatedly over time. There were five cases of drivers getting minor burns after the solder used in the defective parts melted and fell onto their feet, Kimoto said.