Stalling Engines Put Honda, Acura Cars at Risk of Crashes

Honda and Acura are recalling roughly a quarter of a million vehicles over a serious defect that increases the risk of accidents.

Some 250,000 vehicles’ engines may not start or could stall on the road, the companies recently told federal vehicle safety regulators. That is a recipe for potential disaster, they acknowledged.

“Due to a manufacturing defect of the engine crankshaft, the connecting rod bearing can prematurely wear and seize,” Honda and Acura said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “If the connecting rod bearing seizes, the engine can be damaged and run improperly, stall, stop while driving, and/or not start, increasing the risk of a fire, crash or injury.”

The recall covers a variety of vehicles: The 2016, 2018, and 2019 Honda Pilot sport utility vehicle; the 2018–19 Honda Odyssey minivan; the 2017 and 2019 Honda Ridgeline pickup; and the 2015–2020 Acura TLX and 2016–2020 Acura MDX.

The companies have received nearly 1,500 warranty claims related to the problem, they told NHTSA, but they are not aware of any accidents or injuries stemming from it. Owners should be alert for unusual engine noise and watch for the check engine light to come on, the company said.

The companies told NHTSA they plan to notify owners of recalled cars via mail by early January. They will ask owners to bring their vehicles to authorized service providers for inspection and repair.

“Owners who have paid to have these repairs completed at their own expense will be eligible for reimbursement,” the companies said in the defect notice.

Legal Rights for Car Owners in California

Honda and Acura are not alone when it comes to these sorts of recalls.

The world’s largest auto manufacturers call back millions of vehicles every year, citing a wide range of serious defects and malfunctions that increase safety risks for everyone on the road. The recalls are often announced long after defective cars have already been sold to unsuspecting buyers.

In July, for example, Honda announced it was recalling some 1.3 million vehicles over faulty backup cameras. More recently, the company said in November it would call back 176,000 Civics for at least the second time to try to fix a problem with the cars' power steering.

There is some good news for car owners and lessors in California. You do not need to wait around for a recall in order to get defective vehicles fixed.

The California lemon law generally requires carmakers to perform repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces manufacturers to buy back vehicles that they are unable or flat-out refuse to fix. That means compensating the owner for the vehicle’s purchase price, as well as financing charges, rental car costs and other related expenses.

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.