Engine Failure Concerns: NHTSA Investigates Honda and Acura Models

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is probing complaints of engine failures in approximately 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles. The investigation focuses on models equipped with 3.5-litre V6 engines, specifically examining connecting rod bearing failures. Many vehicles were excluded from a previous 2023 recall for the same issue.

The U.S. government's highway safety agency has initiated an investigation into engine failure complaints affecting up to 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles. The scrutiny by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration includes several popular models from 2016 to 2020, highlighting possible malfunctions in 3.5-litre V6 engines.

According to documents released, the issue arises from potential failure of connecting rod bearings, crucial components linking pistons to the crankshaft. An increasing number of complaints from vehicle owners, whose models were not included in a 2023 recall, prompted the investigation. The recall addressed similar engine problems earlier, but some affected vehicles were overlooked.

The safety agency has received 173 complaints about connecting rod bearing failures, with incidents frequently leading to total engine breakdowns. Amidst these developments, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is determining the extent of engine issues for cars previously not recalled. Honda has yet to release a formal comment regarding these concerns.

(With inputs from agencies.)