[ 28/05/2002 11:50]

American Honda Motor Co. is recalling 1.3 million Honda and Acura vehicles to replace a faulty ignition switch that can cause the engine to stall, the automaker announced Thursday.


The recall involves Honda Accord, Civic, Prelude, CR-V and Odyssey vehicles from the 1997-2000 model years, 1999 Acura TL sedans and 1997-1999 CL coupes.

Electrical contacts in the ignition switch can wear prematurely and malfunction. The vehicle may initially have trouble starting before the engine begins to stall.

American Honda says less than 3/10 of one percent of the recalled vehicles have had a switch problem. There have been no accidents or injuries reported due to the problem, the automaker said.

Owners will be notified by mail when parts are available for their model, and the vehicles will be repaired for free. American Honda expects the recall to take several months because of the large number of replacement parts that have to be manufactured.