- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into engine failures in Acura and Honda vehicles.
- The move comes after the government received 173 reports of failing connecting rod bearings in vehicles with 3.5-liter V6 engines.
- A previous recall addressed an engine manufacturing defect, so the investigation will examine if some vehicles slipped through the cracks.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into the 3.5-liter V6 engine that powers an assortment of Acura and Honda vehicles. The move comes after the government received 173 reports of failing connecting rod bearings.
The reports involved the 2016-2020 Acura MDX and 2018-2020 TLX. Over at Honda, there were reports involving the 2016-2020 Pilot, 2017-2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey.
More: Almost 250,000 Hondas And Acuras Recalled Over Engine Seize Fears
The incidents caused at least one crash or fire and the government noted there was already a recall to “address this type of failure within certain production ranges of these vehicles.” Furthermore, all 173 of the reports “display failures that have characteristics consistent with those addressed” in the previous recall but weren’t included in it.
The recall in question, 23V-751, involved 248,999 vehicles including the 2015-2020 TLX, 2016-2020 MDX, 2016 Pilot, 2018-2019 Pilot, 2018-2019 Odyssey, 2017 Ridgeline, and 2019 Ridgeline. That’s a hodgepodge and they were recalled due to a manufacturing defect of the engine crankshaft, which could cause the connecting rod bearing to prematurely wear and seize.
Delving deeper, the government said an incorrect equipment setting during the manufacturing process resulted in the crank pin being improperly ground, causing it to have a crown or convex shape. The automaker became aware of the issue in 2020 and conducted a recall three years later after receiving 1,450 warranty claims related to the issue.
As part of the remedy, dealers would inspect and, if necessary, repair or replace the engine. The population of the 23V-751 recall was determined using manufacturing records and it appears a handful of vehicles may have slipped through the cracks.
Given this, the investigation will examine the severity of the alleged defect in vehicles not included in the previous recall as well as examine the scope of the recall. Depending on how things go, additional vehicles may end up being recalled.
