What is the Honda massive recall?
It refers to large-scale safety campaigns affecting millions of Honda vehicles, most notably the Takata airbag inflator recall—one of the largest recalls in automotive history—and other newer recalls for various defects.
The Takata airbag inflator recall: Honda's largest chapter
The Takata airbag inflator recall began in the early 2010s and grew into a global crisis for the auto industry. Inflators containing ammonium-nitrate propellant could rupture during deployment, sending metal fragments into the cabin and risking serious injury or death. Honda, along with other manufacturers, issued widespread recalls to replace faulty inflators with safer components. The campaign spanned years and billions of dollars in repairs, eventually affecting a vast number of Honda and Acura models worldwide.
Scope and impact on Honda vehicles
Honda was among the brands with the largest share of affected vehicles, covering many model years and regions. The remediation typically involved providing a free replacement inflator or a redesigned inflator module, often requiring multiple visits as supply and repairs were staged over time.
Other major Honda recalls in recent years
Beyond the Takata campaign, Honda has issued recalls for a variety of other safety defects. These recalls have involved different model years and regions, reflecting ongoing safety oversight as vehicles age and new issues are identified.
Key recall categories include:
- Fuel system and fuel pump-related defects that could cause stalling or failure to start
- Door latches and locking mechanisms that may not secure properly
- Electrical and software issues affecting braking, steering, transmission control, or airbag functionality
- Other component defects identified through ongoing safety testing or post-market reports
These campaigns illustrate why recalls can involve large numbers of vehicles over many years and across multiple markets.
How to verify if your Honda is affected
If you own a Honda, you should regularly check whether your vehicle is listed in any active or past recall notices. This is especially important as recalls can be issued for specific VIN ranges or production windows that do not apply to all vehicles in a given model year.
To determine recall status, use the following process:
- Find your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) — typically visible on the dashboard near the windshield or on the driver’s door jamb.
- Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) SaferCar.gov recall lookup tool and enter your VIN, or go to Honda’s official recall page and search by VIN.
- Contact your local Honda dealer with the recall information; recalls are repaired at no cost to the owner.
- Book an appointment promptly if a recall is listed; some campaigns may require supply availability or multiple visits.
Keeping your vehicle’s recall status up to date helps ensure that safety fixes are completed in a timely manner.
What to do if your car is recalled
When a recall affects your Honda, follow these practical steps to get the issue resolved safely and at no cost to you.
- Contact a Honda dealer or the official recall contact to schedule the repair as soon as possible.
- Provide your VIN and any recall notices you’ve received to confirm eligibility and model specifics.
- Arrange repair timing that minimizes disruption; recalls are performed free of charge and should not involve out-of-pocket costs.
- If the recall involves a potentially unsafe condition, follow dealer guidance on driving restrictions or towing needs until the repair is completed.
Staying proactive about recalls helps protect you and other road users, and ensures your vehicle remains up to current safety standards.
Summary
Honda's so-called “massive recall” story centers on the Takata airbag inflator crisis—the largest recall in automotive history—and a series of subsequent recalls addressing a range of safety defects. While the Takata campaign highlighted the scale of modern vehicle recalls, ongoing safety programs continue to identify and fix issues across models and regions. If you own a Honda, check your VIN against official recall databases and contact a dealer to arrange free repairs promptly.
What Honda engines are being investigated?
Documents posted by NHTSA date the start of the investigation to August 20, 2025, and explain that the J35 engine fitted to 2018-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016-2020 Honda Pilot, 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline units is being investigated for regular connecting rod bearing failures.
What Hondas are being recalled?
Recent Honda recalls include a steering defect affecting nearly 1.7 million vehicles (2022-2025 Acura Integra, Civic, CR-V, and HR-V), a fuel pump issue in certain 2023-2024 Accord/Accord Hybrid, 2023-2025 CR-V Hybrid, and 2025 Civic/Civic Hybrid models, and a 2016-2021 Civic recall for accessory wheels that could detach. For specific details and to check your vehicle, use the VIN on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website or the Honda recall information page.
Recent recalls
- Steering Defect: A steering defect affects nearly 1.7 million vehicles from model years 2022-2025, including Acura Integras, Civics, CR-Vs, and HR-Vs. This recall was issued in October 2024.
- Fuel Pump Issue: Certain 2023-2025 CR-V Hybrid, 2025 Civic/Civic Hybrid, and 2023-2024 Accord/Accord Hybrid models are recalled due to high-pressure fuel pumps that may have been improperly manufactured.
- Accessory Wheels: Some 2016-2021 Civic models sold with 18-inch accessory aluminum wheels are recalled because a manufacturing defect could cause the wheels to detach.
- 2025 Pilot Third-Row Seatbelt: A recall was announced in November 2025 for the 2025 Pilot regarding its third-row seatbelt.
- 2025 Acura RDX Electronic Power Steering Software: A software recall was issued for the 2025 RDX affecting its electronic power steering.
- 2025 CR-V Hybrid Fuel Hose: A recall was announced in November 2025 for the 2025 CR-V Hybrid involving the fuel hose.
- 2025 Acura ZDX Stabilizer Bar: A recall was issued in November 2025 for the 2025 ZDX related to its stabilizer bar.
- 2025 Acura MDX Center Display: A recall was announced in November 2025 for the 2025 MDX regarding its center display.
- 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, and other models: Multiple recalls affect 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, and other models due to various issues, including a faulty coaxial cable connector.
- 2017-2020 Accord, Civic, CR-V, and other models: A recall affecting 2017-2020 models of the Accord, Civic, CR-V, and other vehicles was announced in December 2023.
- 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline: A stop-sale and recall was issued for certain 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline models due to potential connecting rod bearing failure, announced in November 2023.
How to check for recalls
- Use your vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to check for open recalls on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.
- Visit your local Honda dealer to have a dealer-certified technician check for recalls and perform the necessary repairs, which are free of charge.
- For a comprehensive list of recalls, visit Kelley Blue Book's Honda recall page.
What is the massive recall on Honda?
Key Points. Honda recalls over 406,000 Civics and 256,603 Accord Hybrids for hazardous defects. Issues include wheel detachment risks and software flaws causing loss of drive power. Japanese automakers remain major U.S. producers and exporters, with Honda selling 1.4 million vehicles.
What is the 1.4 million Honda recall?
The "Honda 1.4 million recall" refers to a government safety investigation into potential engine failures in over 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles, not a completed recall. The investigation covers specific models from 2016-2020, including the Honda Pilot, Acura MDX, Honda Odyssey, Acura TLX, and Honda Ridgeline, which may be at risk of connecting rod bearing failure due to a manufacturing defect. While there was a separate recall in 2023 for similar issues, this new investigation is looking into a wider scope of vehicles that may have been affected.
This video explains the engine failure risk in certain Honda and Acura vehicles: 57sThe Car Guy OnlineYouTube · Nov 13, 2024
Affected vehicles
2018-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016-2020 Honda Pilot, 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey, and 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline.
Details of the investigation
- Issue: Reports of connecting rod bearing failure leading to complete engine failure.
- Cause: The investigation is looking into a potential manufacturing defect in the 3.5L V6 engine.
- Status: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is conducting a "Preliminary Evaluation" to assess the scope and severity of the potential problem.
- Previous action: The investigation was prompted after a significant number of reports were filed for vehicles not covered by a 2023 recall for a similar but distinct crankshaft manufacturing defect.
