The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a formal investigation into more than a quarter of a million Honda and Acura vehicles following numerous reports of sudden and catastrophic engine failures.
The probe affects approximately 250,000 vehicles across three popular models: the 2015-2020 Acura TLX and the 2016-2020 Honda Pilot, both equipped with 3.5-litre V6 engines, along with the 2017-2019 Honda Odyssey featuring 3.5-litre engines.
Concerning Pattern of Failures
Safety officials have identified a troubling pattern where connecting rod bearings within the engines are failing prematurely. This critical component failure can lead to sudden engine seizure while driving, potentially causing vehicles to stall without warning and creating extremely dangerous situations on the road.
The NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has received at least 221 complaints from vehicle owners, with 187 reports specifically citing engine failure. Additionally, the agency is aware of four warranty extension claims related to this defect.
Manufacturer Response and Previous Recalls
American Honda Motor Company has acknowledged the issue and is cooperating with the investigation. The manufacturer had previously issued a technical service bulletin in October 2020 addressing similar problems in certain 2016 Pilot and 2017 Odyssey vehicles.
This investigation comes after Honda's massive 2021 recall of approximately 1.4 million vehicles in the United States to address issues with fuel pumps that could also lead to engine stalling.
What Vehicle Owners Should Know
Owners of affected vehicles have reported various warning signs preceding complete engine failure, including:
- Abnormal engine noises or knocking sounds
- Illumination of warning lights on the dashboard
- Loss of power while driving
- Complete engine seizure requiring replacement
The NHTSA investigation will evaluate the scope and severity of the defect, potentially leading to a formal recall if regulators determine the vehicles pose an unreasonable safety risk.
Vehicle owners experiencing similar issues are encouraged to report them to the NHTSA to assist with the ongoing investigation.
