Premature Wear in Honda, Acura Engines Leads to Recall

Honda has announced a recall on approximately 280,000 vehicles in North America, including just shy of 30,000 in Canada, due to potential engine damage.

Affected models include the 2019 Odyssey and Ridgeline, 2016 and 2018 Pilot, as well as the 2018-2020 MDX and 2015-2020 TLX from luxury brand Acura. All of them are equipped with a V6 engine.

It appears that improper equipment settings were used during crankshaft production, resulting in crank pins with a crown or convex shape that are out of specification. This could lead to a seized connecting rod bearing which, in turn, could damage the engine or cause it to run improperly, stall, stop while driving and/or not start.

Photo: Honda Canada Inc.

While Honda has received hundreds of warranty claims, no injuries or fatalities have been reported so far. The automaker believes only about 1 percent of recalled vehicles will be found to have the defect.

An inspection by a dealer is the first step in this recall campaign. If damage is found, the dealer will replace the necessary parts at no cost.

Honda said it will start notifying owners by mail in January. In the meantime, owners should pay attention to the check engine light on the instrument cluster and listen for unusual sounds coming from the engine bay.

Watch: 2016 Honda Pilot Review

Share on Facebook

More on the subject

RecallsHonda Recalls 33,000 Cars in Canada, Electronics Are to Blame
Honda is announcing a recall on 33,150 cars in Canada to fix a problem with the Body Control Module. Just two models are affected, however, namely the 2018-2020 Honda Accord (including Accord Hybrid) and the 2019-2020 Honda Insight . In some cases, a software problem in the Body Control Module …
Pre-owned vehiclesIs the Honda Ridgeline the Best Midsize Pickup?
When it comes to the best vehicle or best buy in a given category, the answers can vary widely, and the debate can become very heated. After all, the many models out there don’t all target the same customers (we all have our own needs and preferences), and the price …
RecallsAirbag-Related Recall Affects Nearly All Honda Models, Some Acuras
A safety issue with the sensor in the front passenger seat is forcing Honda to recall a large number of models and units, including more than three quarters of a million in the U.S. alone. [UPDATE] According to Transport Canada, 66,846 vehicles are affected north of the border. The models …
NewsU.S. Authorities Probing 1.4 Million Honda Vehicles, 3.5L V6 Again to Blame
Is there something wrong again with connecting rod bearings on Honda’s 3.5-litre V6 engine? That’s what U.S. authorities want to know. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation covering approximately 1.4 million vehicles in the U.S. after it received 173 complaints and reports from owners. Affected …