Washington, D.C. – September 9, 2025 – The U.S. government auto safety regulator is investigating Honda (NYSE:HMC) whose vehicles may stall or catch fire. This defect increases the risk of a crash and injury, especially in dense traffic.
If this Honda engine issue leads to a recall, it could affect an estimated 1.4 million vehicles, including:
- 2018 – 2020 Acura TLX
- 2016 – 2020 Acura MDX
- 2018 – 2020 Honda Odyssey
- 2016 – 2020 Honda Pilot
- 2017 – 2019 Honda Ridgeline
Recall summary
The regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), opened an investigation on August 20, 2025, following more than 400 complaints of stalled Honda and Acura vehicles.
According to the claims, the engines would seize due to damaged crankshaft bearings. As a result, the vehicle would lose motive power or burst into flames.
What is a crankshaft?
The crankshaft is a moving part inside the engine that transfers power from the pistons to the transmission. It rotates on bearings, whose job is to reduce friction and ensure smooth movement.
Risks
A stalled car may get hit by other vehicles, especially if this occurs in fast-moving traffic, increasing the risk of injury. In addition, if the engine’s internal moving parts could pierce the engine block and cause a fire.
Dangerous situations
The perils of vehicle stalling in real-life situations can be illustrated by the experience of an owner whose 2017 Honda Pilot started making odd noises before stalling and bursting into flames. The car became a “total loss,” fortunately sparing the life of the “hysterical” driver.
Other reports state metallic knocking sounds from the engine, usually accompanied by the loss of power with no ability to restart the vehicle afterward.
Investigation background
In November 2024, the U.S. government auto safety regulator opened an investigation after receiving nearly 200 complaints of engine failures in vehicles not affected by this recall. They revealed no evidence that crankshafts in these vehicles were incorrectly manufactured and consequently closed the investigation.
The present investigation was opened after the agency received a flood of complaints regarding stalling vehicles that were not part of either the previous investigation or recall.
Is your vehicle a part of this recall?
This investigation may lead to a Honda engine stall recall, potentially affecting more than 1.4 million vehicles. To do a Honda recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
