The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into over 1.4 million Honda vehicles sold in the U.S., citing concerns that engine connecting rod bearing defects may lead to total engine failure.
The probe covers Acura TLX models from 2018 to 2020, Acura MDX vehicles from 2016 to 2020, Honda Pilots from 2016 to 2020, Honda Odysseys from 2018 to 2020, and Honda Ridgelines manufactured between 2017 and 2019.
In a letter dated August 20, the agency stated that it had received 414 complaints related to the issue involving the 3.5-liter V6 engine used in various Honda and Acura models.
In 2024, the agency conducted an investigation into 1.4 million Honda vehicles after receiving reports of severe engine problems. This followed Honda’s recall of 249,000 vehicles in November 2023, which aimed to fix a manufacturing flaw in the engine crankshaft that could cause the connecting rod bearing to wear out prematurely and seize, resulting in engine failure.
In the letter, the U.S. auto safety agency stated that it is launching a new investigation to thoroughly examine the extent and seriousness of the problem and to evaluate any associated safety risks, following the conclusion of its earlier probe.
NHTSA noted that the large number of engine failure reports involving vehicles not included in the previous investigation represents a safety hazard.
In early August, Honda reported that its net profit had dropped by half in the first quarter, attributing the decline to U.S. tariffs. During the first three months of its fiscal year, the company’s net profit fell by 50.2% year-on-year to 196.67 billion yen. The company also noted a 1.2% decrease in revenue totaling 5.34 trillion yen.
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