Honda recalls 646,000 small cars
Updated: 3:15pm with statement from Honda Australia:
Honda Motor Co has recalled 646,000 Fit/Jazz and City cars globally due to a faulty window switch, a child died after a fire broke out in a car last year.
Included in the recall is 141,084 cars in the United States and includes the models sold in North America, South America, Europe, South Africa and Asia, but not Japan.
In Japan the Fit is Honda's best selling car.
The recall in the U.S. covers Fit models from 2007 to 2008.
This recall comes as Toyota extend their recall to Europe and China of millions of vehicles due to faulty accelerator pedals and floor mats.
Honda's recall is to fix a defective master switch, in some cases water has entered the power window switch and caused a fire.
A spokeswoman said there were three cases of fire caused by the defect, two in the U.S. and one in South Africa.
In Britain a spokeswoman said all 2002 to 2008 model Jazz cars have been recalled in South Africa and 172,000 cars in Britain after a fire broke out which killed a child.
Honda said on its Web site it would "inspect and modify driver door power-window switches that may, in some cases, short circuit as a result of water intrusion".
"There has been a recall to do with a window switch and 172,000 cars will be affected by the recall in the UK," a Honda UK spokesman told Reuters today.
"The recall will start towards the end of February. Now we will start talking to customers and dealers as to how we set up that recall."
"At the recall a waterproof skirt will be fitted to the window to avoid any damage," the spokesman added.
Honda sold 352 Jazz in South Africa, making it the best selling car for December.
Honda Australia wishes to clarify that the recent recall for the Honda Jazz power window switch does not apply to the Australian market.
Markets affected include North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
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