Honda Engine Problems Under Investigation by NHTSA Following Multiple Crash and Fire Reports

Investigation has been reopened in response to continuing concerns about engine problems that may result from connecting rod bearing failures.

More than 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles are being investigated after a previous recall fix failed to resolve engine problems in certain models.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Honda engine investigation on August 20, citing an issue with certain vehicles connecting rod bearing failures, which have been linked to multiple crashes and vehicle fires.

Connecting rod bearings link the piston to the crankshaft and convert the engine’s vertical motion into the rotational force that turns the wheels. If these rod bearings fail, the engine block may crack, increasing the risk of engine failure and auto accidents.

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) report indicates there have been at least 3,012 reports of connecting rod bearing failures in the affected vehicles, including seven crashes or fires involving the following vehicles with 3.5L V6 engines:

• 2016-2020 Acura MDX
• 2018-2020 Acura TLX
• 2016-2020 Honda Pilot
• 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline
• 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey

The current investigation follows the recent closure of a November 2023 Honda recall (23V-751) involving many of the same vehicles with the same issue, which was suspected to be related to a crankshaft manufacturing defect. 

In November 2024, the Honda investigation expanded to include additional vehicles that had been excluded from the 2023 recall.

However, that investigation was closed after NHTSA determined the current engine failures fell outside the scope of the 2023 recall and were not caused by the crankshaft defect.

As a result, NHTSA has opened a new investigation to evaluate the scope and severity of the issue and to assess the associated safety risks.

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