Honda has always been synonymous with reliability. That's why the recent recall affecting more than 259,000 vehicles in the United States has surprised many. The problem, although technical, is serious: a defect in the brake pedal that can compromise the car's braking ability.
The issue isn't minor; it all comes down to an improperly installed pin that holds the pedal. If this component fails, the pedal could detach or not respond correctly when pressed. This poses a real risk of an accident, especially in situations where quick or emergency braking is needed.
Affected models and symptoms of the issue
The vehicles included in this recall are some of the best-selling models from Honda and its sister brand, Acura. The affected models are:
- Honda Pilot (model years 2023, 2024, and 2025)
- Acura TLX (model years 2021 to 2025)
- Acura MDX (model years 2023 to 2025)
The symptoms can be difficult to notice at first. Some drivers might feel that the pedal is loose or not firm. In other cases, warning lights might turn on in the dashboard or the brake lights might stay on even without pressing the pedal.
So far, there haven't been any accidents or injuries related to this issue, but Honda has decided to act before that happens. That says a lot about how they handle these kinds of situations.
This is how Honda will respond to the issue
Honda has confirmed that it will check and inspect the vehicles at no cost to the owners. If the defect is detected, the entire brake pedal assembly will be replaced.
Notifications to dealerships have already started being sent out since June 13. Starting July 28, owners of the affected cars will receive letters with specific instructions. Meanwhile, it's possible to check if your vehicle is involved by using the VIN number on the NHTSA website or on Honda's official portal.
It's worth noting that this defect was identified in April 2024, thanks to a technical report. The investigation revealed that the problem came from poor pin fixation during assembly. The plant that produced these parts was closed, and now the process is carried out in Mexico with more quality controls, including camera sensors.
A bad year for Honda?
This isn't the only massive recall the brand has had this year. Another recent recall affects 295,000 vehicles due to a fault in the fuel injection software, which can cause unexpected engine shutdowns. In addition, in 2024, there had already been reports of fuel leaks in some SUVs.
Although these incidents might worry some drivers, Honda continues to act quickly and transparently. In fact, most vehicles probably won't present the issue, but safety comes first.
If you drive one of the mentioned models, it's best to check as soon as possible. A small adjustment today could prevent a big problem tomorrow.