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NHTSA is investigating alleged connecting-rod-bearing failures and complete engine failures in about 1.41 million Honda and Acura vehicles with 3.5-liter V6 engines. The investigation, PE25008, is separate from Honda’s 2023 recall 23V-751 and is not itself a new recall. Its August 20, 2025 opening summary listed 3,012 incidents, including 414 ODI reports and 2,598 manufacturer reports.
NHTSA is investigating alleged connecting-rod-bearing failures and complete engine failures in about 1.41 million Honda and Acura vehicles with 3.5-liter V6 engines. The investigation, designated PE25008, is separate from Honda’s 2023 recall, 23V-751. It does not yet establish that every reported failure has one common cause, and it is not itself a new recall.
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When NHTSA opened PE25008 on August 20, 2025, its summary listed 3,012 total incidents: 414 reports submitted through NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation and 2,598 manufacturer reports. The same opening table listed seven combined crash-or-fire incidents—four ODI reports and three manufacturer reports—with no injuries or fatalities recorded in that table.
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What NHTSA’s Honda engine investigation covers
PE25008 concerns alleged connecting-rod-bearing seizure followed by engine failure in certain Honda and Acura vehicles. The estimated U.S.-focused population is 1,410,806 vehicles, including the District of Columbia and U.S. territories and possessions.
| Brand | Vehicles identified in PE25008 |
|---|---|
| Acura | 2018–2020 TLX; 2016–2020 MDX |
| Honda | 2016–2020 Pilot; 2018–2020 Odyssey; 2017–2019 Ridgeline |
The subject engines are 3.5-liter V6s that were outside the scope of Honda recall 23V-751. Being included in the investigation’s estimated vehicle population does not mean that a particular VIN has an open recall or that the vehicle has been diagnosed with the alleged defect.
Why the investigation was opened
NHTSA first received reports involving similar connecting-rod-bearing failures in vehicles that were not covered by the 2023 recall. On November 8, 2024, the agency opened recall query RQ24013 to examine whether the recall should include additional vehicles. An information request issued during that query reported 283 complaints as of January 15, 2025.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsNHTSA closed RQ24013 after reviewing Honda’s data. The agency’s closure document said the out-of-scope failures appeared to involve a similar failure mechanism, but the available analysis did not indicate that those engines contained the same crankshaft manufacturing defect addressed by recall 23V-751. NHTSA therefore concluded that Honda had properly defined the original recall’s scope and carried the broader failure question into the separate preliminary evaluation, PE25008.
That sequence is important: the official record supports a transition from one investigation to another, not a formal reopening of RQ24013. Likewise, “skyrocketing failure” is a headline description, not an NHTSA finding. The documented incident count increased across different agency stages and reporting categories, but the numbers cannot be treated as one continuous complaint total.
How the 2023 recall differs from PE25008
Recall 23V-751, announced on November 9, 2023, involved certain Honda and Acura vehicles whose engines could have a crankshaft manufacturing defect. Honda’s recall materials described improper crankshaft journal dimensions that could increase friction between the crankshaft journals and connecting-rod bearings. Inadequate lubrication and excessive heat could accelerate bearing deterioration and potentially cause engine seizure.
The recall remedy involved dealer inspection and, when necessary, engine repair or replacement. The recall’s scope was based on the specific manufacturing problem identified by Honda and NHTSA.
PE25008 addresses reported failures in engines outside that recall scope. NHTSA is examining whether the volume and nature of those incidents represent a safety defect requiring additional action. The agency’s opening documents do not prove that all of the reported failures were caused by the same crankshaft defect, or even that every report represents the same underlying failure mode.
What can happen when a connecting-rod bearing fails?
A connecting-rod bearing sits between the connecting rod and the crankshaft. If it loses its required oil clearance or becomes damaged, friction and heat can rise rapidly. In a severe failure, the bearing can seize or the connecting rod can damage the crankshaft and engine block.
NHTSA describes the alleged problem in PE25008 as connecting-rod-bearing seizure leading to complete engine failure. A sudden engine failure can cause loss of motive power. Depending on traffic, speed, road conditions, and the driver’s ability to reach a safe location, losing propulsion can increase the risk of a crash. Honda’s recall materials also identify potential crash, fire, and injury risks associated with engine failure.
That safety risk does not mean that every knocking sound, warning light, or stalled vehicle is caused by a failed connecting-rod bearing. Similar symptoms can result from other mechanical or electrical problems. A qualified technician must diagnose the vehicle.
How to interpret the reported numbers
The most useful PE25008 figure is the number in NHTSA’s August 20, 2025 opening resume:
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- 414 ODI reports;
- 2,598 manufacturer reports;
- 3,012 total incidents listed by the investigation;
- Seven combined crash-or-fire incidents in the opening table; and
- No injuries or fatalities listed in that opening table.
NHTSA’s September 15, 2025 information request separately referred to 414 reports of engine failure due to connecting-rod-bearing seizure. That is not a second 414-incident total to add to 3,012. It reflects the ODI-report category described in the investigation documents.
Other figures belong to different records. Honda’s 2023 recall filing reported 1,450 warranty claims, while the January 2025 RQ24013 information request reported 283 complaints. Because the investigations, dates, and reporting categories differ, these figures should not be added together or presented as a single failure rate.
What owners should do now
1. Check the vehicle identification number
Use the vehicle’s 17-character VIN with NHTSA’s recall-lookup resources. A VIN check is more reliable than relying only on the model and model year because recall coverage can depend on production details and other identifying information.
2. Contact an authorized dealer if a recall is shown
NHTSA says safety-recall repairs are performed free of charge at a local dealership. Ask the dealer to explain the recall, the inspection or repair procedure, and whether the vehicle has any other open campaigns. PE25008 itself does not create blanket free engine replacement coverage for every vehicle in the listed population.
3. Treat severe symptoms as a safety issue
Do not continue driving farther than necessary if the vehicle loses power, develops severe knocking or banging, shows a major oil-pressure warning, or begins running abnormally and worsening quickly. Pull over safely, shut the engine off when appropriate, and arrange an inspection or tow. A stalled vehicle can be difficult to control in traffic, and restarting it repeatedly could worsen an internal-engine failure.
4. Preserve the evidence
Keep repair invoices, maintenance records, diagnostic trouble codes, dealer inspection reports, towing receipts, mileage, dates, and photographs or video of warning lights and unusual sounds. Note whether the vehicle stalled, lost power, leaked oil, or required an engine replacement. This documentation can help a technician, dealer, manufacturer, or NHTSA understand the incident.
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- Fit type: Vehicle Specific
A basic OBD2 scanner for car may help you record stored fault codes for a repair appointment. It cannot test a connecting-rod bearing, prove that a bearing has seized, identify every internal-engine failure, or make an unsafe vehicle safe to drive. Do not use a scan result as a substitute for professional diagnosis.
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Owners can submit a vehicle-safety complaint through NHTSA’s public safety-issue reporting channel. Include the VIN, vehicle mileage, failure symptoms, warning lights, repair outcome, and whether the incident involved loss of power, a crash, smoke, or fire. A complaint does not guarantee reimbursement or a repair, but it adds information to the agency’s defect investigation.
What is not known yet
The documents covered by this report establish that PE25008 was opened on August 20, 2025, and that NHTSA sent Honda information request PE25008-01 on September 15, 2025. They do not establish a later final agency decision, recall expansion, engineering-analysis closure, or enforcement outcome.
As a result, owners should not assume that:
- every vehicle listed in PE25008 will be recalled;
- every engine failure in those models was caused by a bearing defect;
- Honda must provide a free replacement engine solely because the vehicle is in the investigation population;
- an extended warranty or reimbursement program exists; or
- a class-action recovery or other payment is available.
Before publication or making a repair decision, check the current NHTSA PE25008 docket and the vehicle’s VIN-specific recall status. A later official document could change the investigation’s status.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Bottom line for Honda and Acura owners
NHTSA is examining a substantial number of reported 3.5-liter V6 engine failures in Honda and Acura vehicles outside the 2023 crankshaft-defect recall. The opening record listed 3,012 incidents and seven crash-or-fire reports, but it did not make a final defect determination or announce a new recall.
Owners should check their VIN, respond promptly to any open recall, avoid driving a vehicle with severe engine symptoms, document the failure carefully, and report safety problems to NHTSA. The investigation may lead to additional action, but PE25008 alone is not proof of recall coverage or free engine replacement.
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- Step-by-step procedures written from a complete teardown and rebuild, giving you the confidence to tackle repairs at any skill level.
- Over 700+ clear photos and diagrams that simplify complex systems, helping you complete jobs faster and with fewer mistakes.
- Comprehensive troubleshooting and fault-finding guides to quickly diagnose problems and reduce costly downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every Honda or Acura vehicle in PE25008 recalled?
No. PE25008 is a preliminary evaluation, not a blanket recall. A vehicle may be in the investigation’s estimated population without having an open recall or confirmed defect. Owners should check the VIN through NHTSA’s recall-lookup resources.
How many Honda engine failures did NHTSA report?
NHTSA’s opening table listed 3,012 total incidents: 414 ODI reports and 2,598 manufacturer reports. It also listed seven combined crash-or-fire incidents and no injuries or fatalities in that table. These are investigation-stage reports, not confirmed failures caused by one proven defect.
How is PE25008 different from Honda recall 23V-751?
Recall 23V-751 covered certain engines with a crankshaft manufacturing defect involving journal dimensions. PE25008 concerns reported failures in engines outside that recall’s scope. NHTSA said the earlier recall query did not show that the out-of-scope engines had the same manufacturing defect, so it continued the broader issue under PE25008.
Should I drive my Honda if it is making a severe engine noise?
A vehicle that loses power or develops severe knocking, a major oil-pressure warning, smoke, or rapidly worsening engine noise should not be driven farther than necessary. Pull over safely, shut the engine off when appropriate, and arrange a qualified inspection or tow.
Can an OBD2 scanner diagnose the alleged bearing failure?
A scanner can retrieve some stored diagnostic trouble codes and help document a repair concern. It cannot test a connecting-rod bearing, prove an internal-engine failure, or determine that a vehicle is safe to drive.
The Bottom Line
PE25008 is an active NHTSA preliminary evaluation—not a new recall. It covers reported connecting-rod-bearing and complete-engine failures in certain 2016–2020 Honda Pilot, Odyssey, and Acura MDX/TLX vehicles, plus 2017–2019 Ridgeline models. Check the VIN, use a dealer for any actual recall, and tow or obtain professional diagnosis if the vehicle loses power or develops severe engine symptoms.
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