Honda wants to TALK

WASHINGTON -- Honda said a toll-free number that was printed in more than 1 million owners' manuals is wrong.

The number was supposed to direct callers to a government hot line on vehicle safety. Instead, owners who dial the 800 prefix hear a recorded message in which a woman's voice, speaking over a funky beat, urges them to call 1-800-918-TALK for "just 99 cents per minute" if they want to talk.

Honda said it incorrectly published an 800 prefix, rather than an 888, in more than 1 million manuals for 2006 model year Honda and Acura vehicles and Honda motorcycles.

The auto company said it will send postcards to dealers and owners in August with the correct National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hotline number -- 1-888-327-4236 -- along with instructions to insert the card into the proper section of the manual.