NHTSA Investigating Honda Engine Failure Problems That May Impact 1.4 Million Vehicles

More than 170 reports involving engine failure have been received after the manufacturer failed to include certain vehicles in a previous Honda recall.

Federal safety officials are investigating problems that may impact more than 1 million Honda and Acura vehicles, after identifying hundreds of reports involving issues that may cause the engines to seize suddenly, increasing the risk of an auto accident.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Honda and Acura investigation on November 8, indicating that some vehicles may have an issue with their connecting rod bearings, which link the piston to the crankshaft, converting the engine’s vertical motion into a rotational force that can turn the wheels.

In the affected vehicles, the rod bearings may wear out prematurely and seize, potentially damaging the engine and causing it to seize, according to officials. This increases the risk of engine failure and collisions, which could lead to severe injury or death.

The investigation was announced one year after a Honda and Acura recall was issued that impacted nearly 250,000 vehicles in 2023, addressing the same engine problem.  However, it now appears that additional vehicles could contain faulty engine rod bearings.

The previous recall stemmed from an investigation launched in 2020, following customer complaints about a defect in certain 2015 to 2020 Honda Odyssey, Honda Pilot, Honda Ridgeline, Acura MDX and Acura TLX vehicles.

According to a statement released by the NHTSA on November 8, the investigation has been expanded to include:

• 2016-2020 Acura MDX
• 2018-2020 Acura TLX
• 2016-2020 Honda Pilot
• 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline
• 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey

Approximately 1,410,806 vehicles are now included in the investigation.  Each of the affected vehicles have 3.5-liter V6 engines.

American Honda Motor Co. has received one report of a crash or fire with no injuries that was not included in the 2023 recall, as well as 173 additional reports of connecting rod bearings failing.

With the cooperation of Honda, NHTSA has opened the recall investigation to determine the severity of the alleged part defect in vehicles not included under the original recall.