NHTSA reviewing complaints of engine failures in Hondas

NHTSA opens new Honda engine failure probe

On August 20, 2025, NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation into about 1.41 million Honda and Acura vehicles over reports of connecting-rod bearing failures in 3.5-liter V6 engines.

In an Aug 20 opening-resume, ODI cited 414 consumer reports and identified 2018–2020 Acura TLX, 2016–2020 Acura MDX, 2016–2020 Honda Pilot, 2018–2020 Honda Odyssey, and 2017–2019 Honda Ridgeline as the subject vehicles.

Models involved in August 2025 probe

The August 2025 probe focused on 2018-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016-2020 Honda Pilot, 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline vehicles. Each of these models carried the 3.5-liter V6 engine in question.

NHTSA stressed that the large volume of reports not covered by an earlier recall was a safety risk. The agency launched the investigation to better evaluate how severe the issue was and whether more vehicles should be included in future actions.

Earlier recall from November 2023

In November 2023, Honda recalled 249,000 vehicles to fix a crankshaft defect that could cause connecting rod bearings to wear out. This failure risked seizing the engine, which could stop the vehicle suddenly.

NHTSA closed its earlier probe after the recall, but noted that more complaints kept arriving. Because the complaints also involved models outside the recall, the agency decided in August 2025 to launch a fresh investigation covering a wider set of vehicles.

Follow-up probe from November 2024

On Nov 8, 2024, NHTSA opened Recall Query RQ24-013 into 1.41 million vehicles after 173 complaints outside the 23V-751 (Nov 2023) recall scope. These cases also involved six-cylinder engines with connecting rod bearing problems.

The new review was launched to check whether issues remained outside the 2023 recall. Reports showed similar defects but were ruled outside the earlier scope. This follow-up focused on Honda Pilot, Odyssey, Ridgeline, Acura TLX, and Acura MDX vehicles made between 2016 and 2020.

Cause of failures cited by Honda

Honda’s Nov 2023 safety recall (23V-751) attributes certain failures to crankshaft machining out of specification, which can accelerate connecting-rod bearing wear and cause engine seizure.

Separately, Honda issued 2023 service bulletins for Auto Idle Stop restart concerns; those documents address a different issue.

Warranty claims and recall figures

In the 2023 recall, Honda estimated 248,999 vehicles had the V6 defect, though only about 1% were thought to be affected. From July 2014 to November 3, 2023, Honda logged 1,450 warranty claims tied to engine failures.

NHTSA noted there were no reported injuries in that period. Even so, the agency wanted to determine if more vehicles faced risks beyond those already recalled. The ongoing 2024 probe sought to clarify the true scope of the failures.

Honda’s timeline of investigations

Honda learned of potential crankshaft problems in November 2020. From then until February 2022, the automaker continued investigating and analyzing reports. In 2020, inspection and manufacturing processes were improved to meet correct crankshaft tolerances.

By April 2022, Honda had launched a detailed analysis of crankshaft bearing specifications. In February 2023, the automaker expanded its checks to unaffected vehicles. On November 2, 2023, it concluded that a defect was present and announced a recall.

Engine restart issues investigated

On March 28, 2025, NHTSA opened an engineering analysis into 2.2 million Honda vehicles for problems with engines failing to restart. The issue occurred with the Auto Idle Stop function, which shuts off the engine at traffic lights.

Drivers reported the engines sometimes failed to restart without outside help, forcing them to use a jump start. The probe included models such as Honda Pilot SUVs from 2016-2025, Ridgeline pickups from 2020-2025, and other Honda models.

Service bulletin and complaints

In January 2023, Honda released a bulletin to address the restart problem. The company suggested a two-stage countermeasure to reduce failures. However, drivers said the issue continued even after these steps had been taken.

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation received 1,384 complaints about Auto Idle Stop failures. Four cases ended in crashes or fires, and two caused injuries. The engineering analysis began to collect more data and study Honda’s countermeasures.

Honda Pilot investigation in 2022

In June 2022, NHTSA opened an investigation into 2016-2019 Honda Pilot SUVs over similar engine restart failures. The problem came from the automatic start-stop feature, which shut down the engine at stops.

Owners reported their vehicles did not restart when expected, creating dangerous situations. NHTSA said it received 221 complaints. In some cases, owners needed to jump-start their vehicles. The issue was later connected to similar concerns in Odyssey, Acura TLX, and Acura MDX models.

Honda’s cooperation with NHTSA

Honda communicated with NHTSA during the 2022 investigation. Spokesperson Chris Martin confirmed the automaker was aware of the issue and was working with regulators.

At that time, the problem covered about 194,731 vehicles in the U.S. Honda said it reviewed all information internally and would cooperate fully. This marked the start of deeper agency involvement in checking how widespread the start-stop defect might be across its lineup.

Rear window failures in Honda HR-V

On February 21, 2024, reports of sudden rear window explosions in 2023 Honda HR-V vehicles surfaced. Owners in Illinois and other states said windows shattered after using rear defrosters. Hundreds of complaints reached NHTSA and social media forums.

A proposed nationwide class-action lawsuit argued Honda knew about the defect before acknowledging it. The sudden glass breakages startled drivers and posed crash risks. The Center for Auto Safety said a recall was the most logical solution.

Honda’s response to HR-V defect

Honda initiated Product Update 24-012 for the 2023 HR-V in mid-2024, directing dealers to inspect/replace rear glass where sealer contacted defroster traces; owners with those symptoms receive repairs at no charge.

This campaign promised inspections and free repairs. However, safety advocates said Honda’s voluntary step was not enough. They argued that only an official recall would ensure most owners took action to fix the defect, especially in colder regions like Chicago.

Honda’s record on reliability

In 2023, Consumer Reports ranked Acura fourth and Honda fifth among the most reliable car brands. This reputation made the rear window failures in HR-Vs stand out even more to affected customers.

Despite overall trust in Honda, these cases highlighted serious safety concerns. Drivers worried that sudden glass explosions could distract them on the road. Editorials stressed that reliability rankings should not outweigh the need for strict safety actions when new defects are found.

NHTSA on Takata airbag danger

In June 2016, NHTSA warned drivers not to use certain Honda and Acura vehicles until Takata airbags were replaced. The agency said about 313,000 cars carried inflators, with a 50% chance of rupturing.

High-risk vehicles included 2001-2002 Honda Civics, 2001-2002 Accords, 2002-2003 Acura TLs, 2002 CR-Vs, 2002 Odysseys, 2003 Acura CLs, and 2003 Honda Pilots. The airbags could explode and send shrapnel into the cabin, causing serious injuries or deaths.

Acura has officially confirmed that hybrids will join its U.S. lineup, marking a significant step in its electrification plans. Full story in Acura confirms hybrids for its U.S. lineup.

Fatalities and repair progress

By mid-2016, ten deaths in the U.S. were linked to Takata airbag ruptures, eight involving Hondas and Acuras on the high-risk list. NHTSA and Honda urged immediate repairs.

The recall involved 70 million inflators nationwide, making it one of the largest in history. By July 2016, about 70% of the most dangerous Hondas had been repaired. Regulators asked Honda to provide weekly progress reports to track repair completion rates nationwide.

Shoppers can find attractive car lease offers across multiple brands this August. Check them out in the car lease deals available in August 2025.

NHTSA is digging into these engine failure reports—what’s your take on how Honda should handle it? Drop your comments below.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.