The distributor of Honda cars in Ireland will be advising owners of one of its popular sedan models to return the cars to their dealers because of gear-shaft problems.
The recall, by Universal Honda, is part of a worldwide recall by the Japanese Honda Motor Company of the Legend, Inspire and Saber models produced between June 1995 and June this year.
The problem affects 143,973 Honda cars worldwide and will cost the company almost £2.25 million.
Only the Legend model is sold by Universal Honda in the State, although importers of secondhand Japanese cars sell the Inspire and the Saber models as well.
Mr John Donohoe, customer service manager with Universal Honda, estimates some 50 to 70 of his customers will be affected.
The problem involves a loose bolt in the gear-shaft, said Mr Donohoe. If the car had been heavily used, the bolt might come out. In such an event drive would be lost to the wheels. The car would start, rev up and could be in gear, but would not move.
The bolts should therefore be replaced. These are being prepared in Europe at the moment and will be in Ireland by the middle of September. Each owner affected will be contacted by Honda, added Mr Donohoe.
The bolts will be replaced free and the job should take two hours.
Alan Costello Cars in Dublin sells imported second-hand Japanese cars. Mr Daragh Murphy, salesman with the company, said he had sold a number of Legends and two Inspires in the past three years.
"If someone has bought one of these from us, made between June 1995 and June this year, they should bring them to a Honda dealer," he advised. If they brought them to him, he would have to send them on to Honda Ireland.
