The contact owns a 1999 Honda Odyssey ex. While driving 35 mph on a clear day the contact smelled something burning and noticed smoke rising from the steering column. He stated that the instrument panel shut off and the lights dimmed. Also, the vehicle began to thrust, jerk, and finally shut off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. He stated that the engine sounded as if the battery was losing power. The vehicle was towed to his residence and was able to restart a few days later. The contact discovered recalls 00V0300 concerning electrical system:wiring:front underhood, and 03V423000 concerning electrical system :ignition :switch, and called the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was included in the abovementioned recalls. However, the first recall repair was performed in April 2001, and the second repair was performed on October 8, 2002. The contact informed the manufacturer that the vehicle had the same stalling failure noted in the recall. The manufacturer stated that the repair was completed by them. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer and was issued case number N012007-04-26-00304. In addition, the passenger's side sliding door failed, and could only be unlocked manually. The current mileage is 119,000, and failure mileage was 117,000.

- Kenner, LA, USA

I bought a 1999 Honda Odyssey in April, 1999. It now has about 13,000 miles. On 11/13/2000, my wife was driving when she started to smell smoke. Within a mile, all engine indicator lights illuminated, the engine quit, and smoke started coming out of the engine compartment. She got out of the van; within a few minutes, the engine was engulfed in flames. The fire department came to extinguish the fire; they say the fire was caused by an electrical short and that there is $18,000 in damage. My insurance company has investigated; they say there is $19,000 in damage -- a total loss. My questions: 1. what's the likely cause of the fire -- a Honda design or manufacturing defect, or a dealer installation error? (I had the local dealer install a Honda cassette deck in November, 1999; I had to take the van back for repairs a few days later when I noticed that certain electrical accessories no longer worked correctly and my battery went dead.) 2. what leverage do I have to get special treatment (e.g., a good deal on a new van, temporary transportation) from Honda and the dealer? (my wife is 6 months pregnant, she had our 20-month-old daughter in the van with her; they are fine, but a bystander had to help them get out of the van -- they could have been seriously injured in this incident.) I have contacted the dealer, who has contacted Honda. Neither wants to provide temporary transportation (my insurance doesn't cover it); the best they've offered is to expedite delivery of a replacement (at least 2-3 more weeks). At this point, I don't know if they'll charge me msrp or give me a discount.

- Mission, TX, USA

I bought a 1999 Honda Odyssey in April, 1999. It now has about 13,000 miles. On 11/13/2000, my wife was driving when she started to smell smoke. Within a mile, all engine indicator lights illuminated, the engine quit, and smoke started coming out of the engine compartment. She got out of the van; within a few minutes, the engine was engulfed in flames. The fire department came to extinguish the fire; they say the fire was caused by an electrical short and that there is $18,000 in damage. My insurance company has investigated; they say there is $19,000 in damage -- a total loss. My questions: 1. what's the likely cause of the fire -- a Honda design or manufacturing defect, or a dealer installation error? (I had the local dealer install a Honda cassette deck in November, 1999; I had to take the van back for repairs a few days later when I noticed that certain electrical accessories no longer worked correctly and my battery went dead.) 2. what leverage do I have to get special treatment (e.g., a good deal on a new van, temporary transportation) from Honda and the dealer? (my wife is 6 months pregnant, she had our 20-month-old daughter in the van with her; they are fine, but a bystander had to help them get out of the van -- they could have been seriously injured in this incident.) I have contacted the dealer, who has contacted Honda. Neither wants to provide temporary transportation (my insurance doesn't cover it); the best they've offered is to expedite delivery of a replacement (at least 2-3 more weeks). At this point, I don't know if they'll charge me msrp or give me a discount.

- Mission, TX, USA