1.4 Million Honda Vehicles Investigated by NHTSA for Engine Failure Issue

According to foreign media reports, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced that it is launching an investigation into more than 1.4 million Honda vehicles sold in the United States. The reason is that the connecting rod bearings in the engines of these vehicles may be defective, which could lead to complete engine failure.

The current investigation by NHTSA is a preliminary step before issuing a recall notice if necessary. In a letter dated August 20, the regulatory agency stated that it received 414 reports of issues with the 3.5-liter V6 engine in Honda and its luxury brand Acura vehicles, including four incidents of collision or fire. In addition, there are 2,598 manufacturer reports, but the documents did not provide specific details.

Image source: Honda Motor

The investigation covers the 2018 to 2020 Acura TLX, the 2016 to 2020 Acura MDX, the 2016 to 2020 Honda Pilot, the 2018 to 2020 Honda Odyssey, and the 2017 to 2019 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck.

NHTSA officials are taking this investigation very seriously because sudden engine failure poses a significant safety hazard. An engine stall while driving on the highway is an extremely dangerous mechanical malfunction that could cause the vehicle to become completely uncontrollable.

The regulatory agency is currently investigating whether the aforementioned defect constitutes a significant safety risk. If it is ultimately determined that such a risk exists, the NHTSA has the authority to mandate Honda to issue a recall notice and require it to provide free repair services to the owners of affected vehicles.

In November 2023, Honda Motor Company recalled 249,000 vehicles. Subsequently, in 2024, the NHTSA launched an investigation into 1.4 million Honda vehicles based on reports of engine issues. The recall targets a manufacturing defect in the engine crankshaft, which may cause abnormal wear or even seizure of the connecting rod bearings, potentially leading to engine failure.

In a letter dated August 20, NHTSA stated that after concluding its previous investigation, it will launch another investigation to more comprehensively assess the scope and severity of this potential issue and fully evaluate the associated safety risks.

The regulatory agency stated that a large number of engine failures have been reported in vehicles not covered by the previous investigation, which poses a potential safety risk.

Affected vehicle owners can visit the NHTSA recall website for more information; however, it may take some time to reach a conclusion on the investigation or to issue a recall notice.