320,000+ 2018–2020 Honda Odyssey Minivans Recalled for Rearview Camera Failure
Water can intrude into the rearview camera assembly and cause the camera image to fail.
If there’s one automotive feature mandated by law that has truly paid off, it’s the backup camera. Not only has this device helped prevent serious injuries, it has also made it easier to reverse vehicles that are inherently difficult to see out of, like SUVs and minivans. Unfortunately for owners of 2018–2020 Honda Odyssey minivans, they may lose that ability and need to visit the dealer due to a recall tied to camera failure.
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The 2020 model year was already subject to a previous recall for water damage affecting its mandated backup camera, but now it needs a new camera to fix a similar issue caused by another manufacturing defect. This new recall also expands to include 2018 and 2019 Odyssey vans, as the same defective camera was used in those vehicles.
The issue stems from two problems during manufacturing. First, the rearview camera boss hole was inadequate for the mounting screw used by Magna Electronics, the original equipment manufacturer of the Odyssey’s backup camera system. Second, variations in the positioning of the housing on the assembly jig, which is supposed to keep everything aligned, created another point of failure.
The incorrect positioning and inadequate hole allowed the screw to become misaligned, and the stress created during fastening caused the housing to crack in multiple places. On top of that, normal exposure to the elements expanded those cracks through thermal cycling, and any trapped water could freeze and expand as well. Once the cracks in the housing grew large enough, water could reach the circuit board, causing corrosion and backup camera failure.
The fix is to replace the recalled Magna camera with a Sony-manufactured version, with repairs expected to begin in late August. Owners of affected 2018–2020 Honda Odyssey minivans will be notified of the recall at the same time. As with any recall, parts and labor will be free of charge. Replacing and recalibrating the camera may take around three hours, although it may take additional time depending on how busy a given local dealer’s service department is.
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Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he's had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He's best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
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