1.4 Million Honda and Acura Vehicles Under Federal Investigation for Engine Failure

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into potential engine failures affecting approximately 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles. The probe focuses on models equipped with 3.5-liter V6 engines, including the 2016 through 2020 Honda Pilot and Acura MDX, the 2018 through 2020 Honda Odyssey and Acura TLX, and the 2017 through 2019 Honda Ridgeline[2].

The investigation was triggered by 173 complaints from vehicle owners reporting failures of the connecting rod bearings, which can lead to complete engine failure. These bearings are crucial as they link the pistons to the crankshaft, converting vertical motion into the movement of the wheels. Despite a previous recall in November 2023 that addressed similar issues in about 250,000 vehicles, the NHTSA has received complaints from owners whose vehicles were not included in that recall[2].

Honda had previously recalled vehicles to fix the same problem, resulting in 1,450 warranty claims due to the bearing issue, but no reports of injuries were noted at that time. However, the current investigation aims to assess the severity of the alleged defect in vehicles not covered by the previous recall. One owner reported a crash with no injuries related to this issue[2].

Honda has stated that it will cooperate with the NHTSA on the investigation. Vehicle owners are advised to stay informed about any developments regarding this recall query and can check for recalls on their specific vehicle by entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA’s website.