Honda Brake Pedal Recall Issued for Certain Acura, Pilot Vehicles: NHTSA

Recalled vehicles fail to meet federal safety standards for proper brake performance, potentially causing delayed braking response and increasing the risk of a crash.

Federal highway safety officials have announced a recall of more than 250,000 newer model year Acura TLX, MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles, due to a manufacturing defect that impacted the brake pedal.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Honda and Acura recall on June 17, warning that a brake pedal pin may not be properly secured, which could prevent the driver from slowing or stopping the vehicle.

The brake pedal pivot pin is a metal rod that serves as a hinge at the mounting point, allowing the brake pedal to rotate smoothly when the driver presses down to engage the brakes.

If the pin is not properly secured, it can shift out of position and cause side-to-side movement of the brake pedal, potentially preventing the brakes from being applied effectively and increasing the risk of an auto accident.

While the NHTSA’s safety recall report does not indicate any accidents or injuries related to the issue, Honda is aware of at least three warranty claims.

Vehicles affected by the current recall include: 

• 2021 through 2025 Acura TLX vehicles
• 2023 through 2025 Acura MDX vehicles 
• 2023 through 2025 Honda Pilot vehicles

Honda first identified the issue on April 4, 2024, after receiving a report of unusual brake pedal movement and launched an investigation. At the time, the brake pedal supplier had already ceased production for Honda Pilot, Acura TLX and Acura MDX models, shut down its U.S. facility, and relocated operations to Mexico between June and October 2024.

After additional reports surfaced, both Honda and the supplier began inspecting inventory and analyzing the affected components. The problem was traced to inadequate training, which resulted in brake pedals being assembled without properly staking the pivot pins. A malfunction in the supplier’s QR code scanning system—intended to catch such errors—allowed the defect to go undetected.

On June 5, Honda determined that a safety defect was present, which was not compliant with existing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 108, which covers “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment,” and No. 135, which covers “Light Vehicle Brake Systems.”

As a result of these findings, the company decided to conduct a safety recall of the affected vehicles on June 12, and is advising customers to watch for signs of brake issues, including warning lights, unusual pedal movement or feel, and brake lights that stay on when the pedal isn’t pressed. 

Notification letters will begin going out on July 28, with instructions for scheduling a free inspection at a local dealership. If necessary, the brake pedal assembly will be replaced at no cost.

Owners who already paid for repairs may be eligible for reimbursement. For more information, customers can contact Honda at 1-866-234-2138, or reach out to Debora Crews at debora.crews@dot.gov, referencing recall numbers FLX and XLY. Additional support is available through the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or at www.nhtsa.gov.

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