Honda, Acura Engine Failure Complaints Get Federal Probe

Federal regulators recently launched an investigation into engine failure risks in some 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into more than 400 reports of connecting-rod bearing defects in Honda and Acura vehicles, according to Car and Driver. The problem can cause engines to fail, increasing the risk of accidents, fires, and injuries, according to the agency.

The issue is similar to a defect that prompted the automaker to recall 250,000 vehicles at risk of engine stalls in late 2023. NHTSA said it is treating the new probe as a separate matter.

“The significant number of reports of engine failure in vehicles outside the scope of [the previous recall] presents a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation,” NHTSA said in August. The agency launched the new investigation “to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues,” it said.

The investigation covers vehicles across a number of models:

• 2016–20 Acura MDX
• 2018–20 Acura TLX
• 2016–20 Honda Pilot
• 2017–19 Honda Ridgeline
• 2018–20 Honda Odyssey

NHTSA said it is aware of 414 reports of incidents related to the issue, including four crashes or fires. It has also received nearly 2,600 manufacturer reports.

The probe is just one of several safety issues facing Honda, Acura, and anyone who drives their cars. 

Honda in June said it was calling back 184,000 Pilot sport utility vehicles whose brake pedals could come loose, increasing accident risks. Honda and Acura recalled some 250,000 vehicles earlier in the year, citing another connection rod problem that could lead to engine stalling.

These kinds of recalls are all too common. They often happen long after defective vehicles have left factory floors and dealership lots, sold to unsuspecting buyers

How the California Lemon Law Works

California car owners and lessors have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. The good news is that you do not need to wait for a recall to get a defective vehicle fixed.

The lemon law, known formally as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, forces automakers to perform a full range of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. It also requires the companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) vehicles that they are unable to or simply decline to fix. That includes covering the purchase price, financing fees, and other related expenses.

There is no exact number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.