Honda to recall 693,497 units globally

Japanese auto major Honda said on Thursday that it will recall more than 693,497 units of the Freed, Fit and City company models globally due to defective parts that could stall the engine and cause problems restarting.

The latest action will affect over 220,000 units in Asia, mainly the Southeast Asian ASEAN area, and about 156,000 in China, she said. Around 97,000 units will be recalled in the United States, the carmaker said.

Honda said that defective spring parts had been found in its Freed compact minivan, Fit compact car and City sedan that could deteriorate over time, resulting in abnormal sounds and even stalling in the worst case.

No accidents related to the problem have yet been reported, but at least 72 complaints were filed in Japan, and 29 abroad, Honda Motor Co. spokesman Tomohiro Okada said.