Now Honda issues global recall of three models

After Toyota's global recall of its ":runaway" cars,  Honda, another Japanese carmaker yesterday issued a global recall of faulty Jazz model that could be at risk of catching a fire severe operating conditions

Tokyo-based Honda issued a recall of 646,000 cars globally of its Jazz model, also known as Fit in some countries and the Honda City for defective power window switches that can cause fire under certain conditions.

In a statement issued in Japan yesterday, Honda said, "Under some severe operating conditions, water, rain, or other liquid may enter the driver's window and reach the master power window switch, resulting in impaired function of the switch.

"If the master power window switch is damaged as a result of the liquid intrusion, it may result in failure of the switch and overheating. An overheating switch may cause smoke, melting or, potentially, fire," it added.

Three cases of fires had been reported due to the defect, one in Cape Town, South Africa and two in the US.

South Africa's Honda unit said it will recall all Jazz models manufactured between 2002 and 2008 for inspection after a two year-old child died when she was sleeping in a Jazz car that caught fire emanating from the faulty window switch in Cape Town last year.