Safety agency investigating Honda Pilot, Odyssey

DETROIT — U.S. safety regulators are investigating older Honda Odyssey Minivans and Pilot SUVs because they can roll away after drivers have removed the ignition key.

The probe affects more than 577,000 vehicles from the 2003 and 2004 model years with automatic transmissions.

A mechanism that locks the key in the ignition until the vehicles are shifted into park can fail. Complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration say drivers can remove the key without shifting into park. That could cause vehicles to roll off unexpectedly.

Owners have filed 43 complaints that include 16 crashes. Two people said they were hurt while trying to stop rolling vehicles. One suffered a broken leg, while another injured a knee.

Investigators will decide if the problem is widespread enough to warrant a recall.