I recently purchased a 2001 Honda Accord, auto transmission (VIN: [xxx])with 81000 miles on the odometer. Noticed that when my wife drove the car, the vehicle was parked with transmission left in drive and fortunately she had engaged the emergency brake. She usually drives a car with a five speed manual transmission. The switch was turned off and keys removed which is not supposed to be possible. I had read articles concerning recalls for several year model Accord being recalled due to the same safety issue as I had observed on this car. I searched the Honda owners link using the VIN and my car was not listed as having this defect. I validated the defect by turning the ignition off and removing the key while the vehicle was in reverse and all the drive gears. I called the NHTSA and got the customer service number for Honda. Called Honda customer service and explained the problem. Their response was that I did not know the car had a problem and that it was not on any recall list. I responded that I believed the car had a safety defect and would file a complaint with the NHTSA for investigation. The response was I should take the car to a Honda dealer. Updated 07/18/2012 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Union Grove, AL, USA