Probe Into Honda Vehicles

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Monday that it is investigating 1.4 million Honda vehicles due to reports of serious engine issues.

In November 2023, Honda recalled 249,000 vehicles in the United States equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine. The recall was prompted by a manufacturing defect in the engine crankshaft that could lead to premature wear of the connecting rod bearing, resulting in engine failure.

The NHTSA noted that it has received 173 reports concerning this issue in various Honda and Acura models from the 2016-2020 production years. The purpose of the probe is to assess the severity of the problem and ascertain whether vehicles not included in the 2023 recall should also be addressed.

Honda has acknowledged the probe and stated it is in communication with the NHTSA while cooperating throughout the investigation process.

The issue dates back to an initial probe initiated by Honda in 2020, leading to a multi-year investigation prior to the recall announcement.

Last year, Honda reported 1,450 warranty claims related to this recall. Under the recall terms, dealers are tasked with inspecting affected vehicles and repairing or replacing the engine as necessary.

The NHTSA highlighted that all 173 reported failures have characteristics consistent with those addressed in the 2023 recall but are currently not covered.

The investigation includes the following models: 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2018-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Honda Pilot, 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline, and 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey.