The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating reports of a potential 3.5L V6 engine failure in up to 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles. Despite these concerns, models like the 2024 Honda Accord continue to stand out for their reliability and advanced engineering, making them a popular choice among drivers seeking a dependable sedan.
3.5L V6 engine failure investigation
The investigation covers the 2016-2020 Honda Pilot and Acura MDX, the 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey and Acura TLX, and the 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline models.
According to NHTSA website documents, these vehicles, equipped with 3.5-liter V6 engines, may experience connecting rod bearing failures that can lead to total engine failure. The connecting rods link the pistons to the crankshaft, transferring vertical movement to drive the wheels.
Honda previously recalled about 250,000 vehicles in November 2023 to address this issue. However, NHTSA reports receiving 173 complaints from owners about connecting rod bearing failures in vehicles not covered by that recall. One incident reportedly involved a crash, though no injuries were sustained.
The agency has launched a recall query to assess the extent of the problem in models not included in the 2023 recall. Honda has stated it will cooperate with the investigation. In 2023 recall documents, the automaker noted 1,450 warranty claims related to the issue, though no injuries were reported. Dealers were instructed to inspect, repair, or replace affected engines as necessary.
