On Monday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed it was launching an investigation into 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles after receiving 173 reports of critical engine issues.
This isn’t the first time the automaker has faced scrutiny. Within the past year, Honda has issued many recalls, with the most significant incident impacting over 1 million vehicles.
Last November, Honda recalled 249,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to a manufacturing defect in the crankshaft that could lead to premature wear of the connecting rod bearing, causing engine failure.
Honda began investigating the issue in 2020 before issuing a recall in 2023. The automaker acknowledged 1,450 warranty claims associated with the defect. It issued a recall shortly after to inspect, repair, and replace engines as needed.
NHTSA aims to investigate whether the issue impacts other vehicles that were not included in the 2023 recall. The 173 reports that initiated the investigation share similarities with the vehicles recalled by Honda in 2023, but the recall did not cover those specific vehicles.
The 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2018-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Honda Pilot, 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline, and 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey could potentially be affected.
Honda confirmed on Monday that it is aware of the ongoing investigation and is committed to cooperating with NHTSA every step of the way, demonstrating their dedication to resolving the issue.
NHTSA’s investigation into the engine issues highlights a significant safety and reliability concern for the automaker and consumers. With 1.4 million vehicles potentially impacted, this probe could lead to further recalls and repair actions, affecting dealership service departments and customer satisfaction. Honda’s ongoing cooperation with NHTSA demonstrates its commitment to resolving the issue. Still, the outcome of this investigation will be critical in maintaining customer trust and ensuring long-term brand reputation.
