Recall - Liftgate Strut Replacement: Overview

10-014

April 27, 2010

Applies To:
2005 Odyssey EX-L Touring - From VIN 5FNRL388.5B000325 thru 5FNRL388.5B1 33626

Product Improvement Campaign: Power Tailgate May Not Stay Open (Supersedes 10-014, dated March 26, 2010, to revise the information marked by the asterisks)

*REVISION SUMMARY

Under REPAIR PROCEDURE, step 1 was revised to include more detail on tailgate support strut removal.*

BACKGROUND

Over time, the power tailgate support struts can lose internal pressure. If they lose enough pressure, the struts may not keep the tailgate up after you open it. A tailgate that lowers unintentionally could cause an injury.

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION

NOTE:
At the request of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the customer notification letter identifies this campaign as a safety recall, not a product improvement campaign.

All owners of affected vehicles will be sent a notification of this product improvement campaign. An example of the customer notification is at the end of this service bulletin.

Not all vehicles within the VIN ranges are affected. To verify vehicle eligibility, you must check at least one of these items:

^ The customer has a notification letter.

^ The vehicle is shown as eligible on a VIN status inquiry.

In addition to the bulleted verification items, check for a punch mark above the 11th character of the engine compartment VIN. A punch mark in that location means the vehicle has already been repaired.

Some of the vehicles affected by this product improvement campaign may be in your used vehicle inventory. These vehicles must be updated before they are sold. To see if a vehicle is affected by this campaign, do a VIN status inquiry before selling it or returning it to a service customer.

Should an unrepaired vehicle that was in inventory, or that came in for service after this service bulletin was issued, cause an injury or property damage because of the campaigned item, the dealership will be solely responsible to the damaged party, and will be required to defend and indemnify American Honda for any resulting claims.

CORRECTIVE ACTION

Replace both tailgate support struts.

PARTS INFORMATION

Tailgate Support Strut (two required):
P/N 74820-SHJ-A61

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

NOTE:
This product improvement campaign ends on September 30, 2011. After that, the replacement cost of the tailgate support struts is the customer's responsibility.

Operation Number: 8231Q2

Flat Rate Time: 0.2 hour

Failed Part: P/N 74820-SHJ-A61

Defect Code: 5TGOO

Symptom Code: R2900

Template ID: 10-014A

Skill Level: Repair Technician

REPAIR PROCEDURE

NOTE:

^ Wear eye protection when you pry on the tailgate support strut clips.

^ Have an assistant hold up the tailgate during the procedure.

1. Pry up the clip on both ends of the tailgate support strut with a flat-tip screwdriver. Then pull the strut off of the lower pivot bolt, followed by the upper pivot bolt. Remove the other strut the same way.





NOTE:
To prevent a strut from accidentally contacting and breaking the tailgate glass during strut removal, always pull the strut off of its lower pivot bolt first.





2. With the clip on both ends of the new support struts flush to the strut body, install the new struts by pressing the strut ends into the upper and lower pivot bolts. Make sure both support struts are securely attached to the pivot bolts.





3. Center-punch a completion mark above the 11th character of the engine compartment VIN: