NHTSA launches investigation on 1.4 million Honda cars risking complete engine failure
Last November, Honda announced a recall covering an estimated 248,999 vehicles equipped with its legendary 3.5L V6 engine. During the production of certain cars ranging from 2014 to 2020 year models, factory machines making engine crankshafts might have been out of spec. If present, the defect – a malformed pin – could cause internal engine noise and ultimately rod bearing damage. In a word, the manufacturing mistake leads to complete engine failure.
Per that recall, numbered 23V-751, “If the connecting rod bearing seizes, the engine can be damaged and run improperly, stall, stop while driving, and/or not start, increasing the risk of a fire, crash or injury.”
Honda further estimated that 1% of the flagged models contained the defective crankshaft pin. Automakers tend to use the low number because they can’t initially determine how many vehicles have a recalled defect.
A year into the recall, though, authorities aren’t sure Honda is doing right by affected vehicle owners.
On Friday, November 8, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a new probe. It asserts that of 173 newer complaints filed regarding alleged rod bearing failure in Honda 3.5L V6 engines, Honda denied every single one coverage under the recent recall. The complaints aligned with the recall symptoms, the ODI says, despite being excluded.
In turn, the NHTSA hopes to determine whether a broader scope of Honda cars – upwards of 1.4 million – might be driving around with defective engines that could fail.
The new ODI probe includes the following models and year ranges:
- 2016-2020 Honda Pilot
- 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline
- 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey
- 2016-2020 Acura MDX
- 2018-2020 Acura TLX
As of November 3, 2023, the time of the original recall announcement, Honda had already processed 1,450 warranty claims.
Depending on the number of models the ODI probe concludes should be included in recall 23V-751, this could be disastrous for Honda’s reputation for reliability in the used SUV, van, and truck market.
