Hearth Record

Trailer hitches; electrical system: wiring (Honda)

Vehicle recall 12V-436. NHTSA received Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)’s report on Sep 5, 2012.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. NHTSA’s own record is on nhtsa.gov.

The short answer

NHTSA received Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)’s report on Sep 5, 2012. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 24, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

Without trailer turn signal illumination, the driver’s intent is not communicated, potentially increasing the risk of a crash.

Honda is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Element passenger vehicles equipped with an accessory trailer hitch wiring harness.

The wire that supplies power to the trailer turn signal lights was inadvertently switched with the stop lamp wire.

As a result the turn signals only illuminate when the brake lamps are illuminated.

This does not comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Trailer hitches.
  • NHTSA’s part: Electrical system: wiring.

What should you do?

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on September 20, 2012. Owners may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: Honda’s recall campaign number is S53.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 5,216 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Honda Elementand 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.).
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
  • This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).

    Released Oct 24, 2026 and checked Oct 24, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 24, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

Sign in

A free account keeps your watch list, shortlists, comparisons and saved searches on every device, and can email you when something you watch changes. Browsing never needs one.