Honda Motors America’s latest recall was announced after the engines inside their most popular models were at risk of seizing, wear, and engine damage. Let’s uncover the reasons why Honda needed to initiate the recall, the risk for Honda owners, and how many vehicles were affected.
Reasons Behind The Honda Recall
Honda announced this recall affecting a quarter of a million cars after discovering a design flaw in the connecting rod bearing. This bearing is housed deep inside the engine and could wear out and cause the connecting rod to seize. Engines rely on hundreds of precision-engineered parts and when they do not work seamlessly together, or if there is a defect in the manufacturing process, it can cause catastrophic engine failure.
Honda claims that the faulty bearing for the connecting rod was indeed a manufacturing error – but the risk of engine failure isn’t the only known issue. The bearing could introduce the risk of engine stalling, poor performance, and even increased risk of fire, crashes, and therefore injury.
Which Honda Models Are Affected?
Approximately 250,000 vehicles are affected thanks to this poorly manufactured connecting rod bearing and this spans across multiple Honda and Acura models and model years.
The following vehicles are possibly affected:
- 2015-2020 Acura TLX
- 2016-2020 Acura MDX
- 2016 and 2018-2019 Honda Pilot
- 2017 and 2019 Honda Ridgeline
- 2018-2019 Honda Odyssey
If you are experiencing unusual engine sounds, frequent stalling, a drop in performance, or have a dashboard warning light then this issue could be affecting your vehicle. It is estimated around 1% of vehicles have been affected so far, after 1,450 warranty claims as of November 3, 2023. Fortunately, there have been no injuries or deaths related to this recall.
You can check your if your model is affected by inputting your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) into the NHTSA’s website.
What To Do Next If Your Vehicle Is Affected
Honda has announced that owners will receive a letter in the mail from January 2024 onwards. Owners will be instructed to take their vehicle to their local Honda or Acura dealership for a detailed inspection and repair if necessary. This recall claims to include a full engine replacement if the connecting rod bearing has been identified as faulty.
How Honda and Acura Owners Can Take Back Control
While recalls have been communicated to owners, many continue to be unhappy with the solutions provided by automakers like Honda and Acura. These problems have the potential to escalate into further legal action, underlining the importance of protecting consumer rights.
If you struggle with vehicle troubles and feel cornered against big vehicle brands, remember it is always better to have experts with you. With extensive experience and successful cases at hand, The Lemon Firm is your best bet. With the dedicated team members always at your disposal, the package becomes too good to be true. So, if your car is giving you a headache, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Call 833-LemonFirm and speak with a case analyst today!