Honda | Media Newsroom

SAFETY
The Accord unit body, high-strength cabin and ladder-type subframe play key roles in helping it meet worldwide safety regulations for impact absorption and occupant protection. The frame uses straight-section box rails with a large cross-section. These carry impact energy more directly into the main frame structure without the need for stiffeners at changes in cross-section.

Additional reinforcement for managing offset-impact energy can be found in the roof side rails, side sills, A-pillar, Coupe B-pillar and front and side frame members.

Reinforcement for side-impact protection includes a strong center B-pillar with stiffening plate at its base, a strong crossmember in the floor, a strong A-pillar-to-A-pillar brace (steering hanger bracket), a strong bulkhead at the back of the passenger cabin and a stronger latch mechanism.

The doors are also reinforced for side impact and use twin side-impact beams in the front, a single beam in the rear door of the Sedan and an additional stiffener panel at shoulder height in each door.

The Accord meets or exceeds the following impact-related federal standards:

• Full-frontal barrier impact at 30 mph
• Angled-frontal (30 degrees right and left) barrier impact at 30 mph
• Side-impact standards
  -- 33.5 mph angled impact (1997 U.S. govt. impact standards)
  -- 20 mph side-impact standard
• Current 30 mph side-impact standards
• Full-rear impact at 30 mph
• Head-impact protection

IMMOBILIZIER THEFT -DETERRENT SYSTEM
An Immobilizer theft-deterrent system is standard on all Accord models. The system uses an ignition key with a built-in transponder. When the driver removes the key, the engine ECU (Electronic Control Unit) immobilizes the engine fuel injection and ignition, so the engine cannot be started. When the key is inserted, a radio signal from the ECU interrogates the transponder. If the code in the key and the code in the ECU agree, then the ECU will allow the engine to be started.

The key needs no batteries, as it receives what little energy it needs via the ignition/steering-lock unit that functions as a transmitter/receiver antenna. An indicator lamp on the instrument panel lets the driver know that the Immobilizer System has accepted the key.

PROTECTED LOCK MECHANISM AND STRONGER WINDOW FRAME
Honda engineers designed the Accord so that it would be difficult to break into. The latch mechanism, operating rod and locks are protected by shields designed to prevent a slim-jim or other jimmying device from being inserted. A new window-sash design makes it more difficult to pry the window from the door frame, and a large, tamper-proof shield protects the hood latch.