Honda is once again in the spotlight and this time it’s not just because of a recall, but because of something that could be even more concerning: an investigation has been opened affecting more than 2 million vehicles from the brand due to a very serious failure in the automatic start system. And be careful, we’re not talking about something minor here: several drivers have reported that their cars shut off at traffic lights… and then don’t start again. Imagine getting stranded in the middle of an intersection with no way to move. Well, that’s exactly what’s happening, and there are already over a thousand formal complaints on record.
Honda is one of users’ favourite brands because of its level of reliability and for always bringing its homework done to the automotive market. What happened here? We’ll tell you everything below.
Which models are affected?
The list is long, and the worrying thing is that it includes super popular models among U.S. drivers, such as:
- Honda Pilot (2016–2019)
- Acura TLX (2015–2020)
- Acura MDX (2016–2020)
- Honda Passport (2019–2022)
- Honda Ridgeline (2020–2023)
What exactly is happening?
The issue is with the system that turns off the engine when the car is stopped, for example, at a traffic light or in a traffic jam. The problem is that in many cases, the engine doesn’t start again. This leaves drivers immobilized in the middle of the road without warning. There’s nothing you can do at that moment, and of course, if it happens while you’re surrounded by traffic, the situation can be quite dangerous and complicated.
What’s serious here is not just the failure itself, but how it came to light. It wasn’t Honda that reported it, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which opened an official investigation registered as EA25004 after receiving reports of injuries linked to this problem.
And that really changes things. Because when a brand takes the initiative and launches a voluntary recall, for the public it’s seen as a responsible gesture. But when the government has to step in and tell you your cars have a defect… it sounds very different.
Did Honda know about it?
We can’t get into those details, but some believe they did, that they knew, but Honda’s reputation weighed more. And it’s true, Honda has carved out quite a place in the market by being one of the most reliable brands. Its commitment to hydrogen, its car designs, and unbeatable prices have helped it become one of the main competitors of American vehicles. But this situation has cast doubt on the brand.
Could it affect the brand?
This situation comes at a delicate time, just as the brand is focusing on developing its range of electric and hybrid cars, and it doesn’t seem to have the margin to handle a massive recall like this one.
If the fault is confirmed and all vehicles are forced to be recalled, we’d be talking about a huge logistical challenge and a million-dollar cost that could seriously shake the company. For now, the brand has tried to fix these issues in the past, but so far, it hasn’t been successful.
What can you do if you own one of these models?
At the moment, there’s no official recall, but you can check if your car is under investigation. You just have to go to the NHTSA website or the official Honda page and enter the VIN number. If you have any doubts, the best thing is to go to a service centre and request an inspection. Especially if you’ve noticed that the car shuts off and then doesn’t start again, even if it only happens occasionally.
We’ll be keeping an eye on how the case develops, but everything points to the worst still being ahead.