2026 Honda Accord

I would like to report a potential safety defect involving a Honda Accord Hybrid Sport, model year 2025/2026, which I rented in [XXX]. During a highway drive with my wife and our two children, my right foot slipped behind the plastic side panel of the center console, next to the accelerator pedal. My foot became caught in this area, restricting its normal movement and access to the accelerator pedal. This created a highly dangerous situation and could potentially result in unintended acceleration, an inability to operate the accelerator normally, or a loss of control of the vehicle. Fortunately, no collision or physical damage occurred. I am concerned that the design or positioning of the plastic side panel may create a potential safety risk for other vehicles of the same model or model generation. I am reporting this matter because I believe it should be assessed by the appropriate safety and engineering authorities. Vehicle information: * Make: Honda * Model: Accord Hybrid Sport * Model year: 2025/2026 * Approximate mileage: 1,900 miles * Vehicle type: Rental vehicle * Location of incident: [XXX] * VIN: Currently unavailable; I have requested it from the rental Company * Rental company: Alamo * Rental period: 18 days in XXX I have photographs showing the relevant area of the vehicle. The photographs were taken while the vehicle was stationary, with the engine switched off. They do not show the incident occurring while driving, but they illustrate the area where my foot became trapped. I also contacted Honda directly to report this concern. Honda’s customer service representative repeatedly requested the VIN and stated that further assistance could not proceed without it. I explained that the vehicle was a rental and that I did not currently have the VIN. The concern was not substantively reviewed during INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The vehicle's infotainment system displays an OTA software update error mmessage on every startup. Honda dealerships are unable to address this issue without further intervention and software updates from Honda corporate. Dealer has stated that this issue may interfere with reliable over-the-air software updates, including any potential safety-related updates delivered through this OTA system.

I have paid for this vehicle, but the dealer won't release it to me due to the open recall (NHTSA Recall Number 26V-366). Neither Honda nor the dealer has given me any sense of when this will be resolved. I don't know how many owners fit this scenario, i.e. vehicle purchased, but not delivered due to the open recall, but it can't be that many. I get no sense or indication that Honda is prioritizing people in my position. Neither the dealer nor Honda has offered to reimburse me for the car I was forced to rent, due to this recall. I am based in [XXX], attached to the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command as a civilian contractor, and purchased this vehicle through Military Autosource. I would appreciate anything NHTSA can do to light a fire under Honda to resolve this issue. I am paying for a vehicle I can't use, and also paying to rent a car, due to this recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The dealer from whom I purchased this vehicle is refusing to release it to me because of an open recall. I purchased this vehicle [XXX], it is now June 19th. I relocated to Germany to accept a US Government sponsored contract job with the US Army, working for General Dynamics. This vehicle is intended to be my sole source of transportation. I would be happy to take possession and bring the vehicle back for this part. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)