If you own a recent Honda or Acura, you might want to check if your car is part of a major new recall.
Honda is recalling more than 259,000 vehicles across the U.S. because of a defect that could affect how the brake pedal works and potentially make it harder for drivers to stop or slow down. The issue comes down to a small part of the brake pedal pivot pin that wasn’t properly secured during production, according to documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
What Vehicles Are Affected?
The recall affects several popular models:
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2023–2025 Honda Pilot SUVs
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2021–2025 Acura TLX sedans
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2023–2025 Acura MDX SUVs
In simple terms, if that pin isn’t fitted right, the brake pedal could shift out of place. That could not only mess with the feel of the brake pedal it might also accidentally apply the brakes or leave the brake lights stuck on, increasing the risk of a crash.
How the Problem Was Discovered
Honda started looking into the issue in April this year after a report came in from a driver whose car was experiencing brake problems. The company traced the defect to a supplier’s U.S. factory, where some brake pedal pins were installed incorrectly. That factory has now been closed, and production has been moved to a plant in Mexico, where a new system checks that the pin is secured properly before the cars leave the line.
As of early June, Honda had received three warranty claims related to this issue, but no reports of injuries, thankfully.
What Honda Is Doing About It
To keep drivers safe, Honda is offering a free inspection and repair for any affected vehicles. If a problem is found, the brake pedal assembly will be replaced at no cost, whether your car is still under warranty or not. This is part of Honda’s standard approach for safety-related recalls.
Honda began notifying its dealer network on June 13, which means your local Honda or Acura dealer should already be aware of the issue and ready to handle inspections and repairs.
For vehicle owners, official recall letters will start going out by mail on July 28. These letters will explain the problem in detail and guide you on how to schedule a service appointment. However, you don’t need to wait until that letter arrives to take action.
If you suspect your car might be affected, or you just want peace of mind, you can visit the NHTSA recall page or Honda’s recall lookup site today. Simply enter your car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which you can find on your dashboard or registration papers, and you’ll immediately know if your vehicle is included in this recall.
Honda estimates that only about 1% of the vehicles under this recall are likely to have the defective brake pedal pin. But given the potential consequences of reduced braking ability or even an unintentional brake application, it’s worth taking the time to get your car checked.
Bottom Line
If you own a newer Honda Pilot, Acura TLX, or Acura MDX, it’s strongly recommended that you check whether your car is affected. Brake problems are nothing to ignore; even a small issue can lead to dangerous situations on the road.
Since the inspection and repair are completely free of charge, and Honda dealers are ready to assist, it’s a quick and easy way to ensure your vehicle is safe. Whether you’re headed out on a road trip this summer or just running your daily errands, knowing your brakes are working properly gives you one less thing to worry about behind the wheel.
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