Honda Motor Co. will recall 2.49 million vehicles worldwide – including 1.51 million vehicles in the United States — to address complaints of engine stalls and vehicles shifting out of park.

Honda will update software that controls the automatic transmission to ease the transition between gears and prevent damage after it has seen 113 claims, including 45 for engine stalls and 11 claims for vehicles moving shifting out of park in the United States.

The recall covers the 2005-10 4-cylinder Accord, 2007-10 CR-V and 2005-08 Element models. No injuries or deaths have been reported in connection with the issue.

Honda spokesman Chris Martin said the recall also covers vehicles in Canada, Mexico, China, South American and parts of the Middle East.

Without the updated software, the automatic transmission secondary shaft bearing in the affected vehicles can be damaged if the transmission is quickly shifted between each of the reverse, neutral and drive positions, as may be done in an attempt to dislodge a vehicle stuck in mud or snow.

A damaged bearing can cause the engine to stall or lead to difficulty engaging the parking gear. The software update will ease the transition between gears to reduce the possibility of damage, Honda said.

The Japanese automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration it has been investigating the issue for several years. In September 2008, it received three claims of bearing breakage in the United States and began investigating. It received other complaints worldwide and changed its bearing supplier in late 2009.

Honda will begin to notify owners on Aug. 31.

(Source: Det News)