Key Takeaways
- Honda is recalling over 880,000 vehicles due to possible rear‑subframe corrosion that could cause loss of rear‑end control.
- Affected models: 2016‑2022 Honda Pilot, 2017‑2023 Honda Ridgeline, 2019‑2023 Honda Passport, and 2014‑2020 Acura MDX.
- Vehicles were sold in 23 northeastern and mid‑western states where road‑salt use accelerates corrosion.
- Corrosion weakens suspension mounting points; failure could lead to a crash or injury, though only about 1 % of the recalled fleet is expected to show the defect.
- No injuries, deaths, or warranty claims have been linked to the issue to date.
- Remedy: free inspection, reinforcement‑kit installation, or subframe repair/replacement at no cost; owner notifications begin July 7, 2024.
Honda has announced a safety recall affecting more than 880,000 vehicles because the rear subframe may corrode at suspension mounting points, which could lead to a loss of rear‑end control and increase the risk of a crash or injury. The recall was initiated after Honda identified that corrosion in certain climates can weaken the metal where the rear suspension attaches to the vehicle body. Although the defect is relatively rare, the potential consequence—sudden loss of stability—warrants a proactive repair campaign. No crashes, injuries, or deaths have been linked to the issue to date, and Honda has received no warranty claims related to the problem.
The recall covers specific model years of Honda and Acura SUVs and trucks: the 2016‑2022 Honda Pilot, 2017‑2023 Honda Ridgeline, 2019‑2023 Honda Passport, and the 2014‑2020 Acura MDX. Approximately 880,514 vehicles are implicated, all of which were originally sold in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. These regions experience the road‑salt usage and winter conditions that accelerate the corrosion process.
The root cause is corrosion of the rear subframe at the points where the suspension arms and bolts attach. Over time, exposure to moisture, road salts, and environmental contaminants can eat away at the steel, reducing its strength. If the corroded area fails while the vehicle is in motion, the rear suspension could detach or shift, causing the driver to lose control of the rear end, especially during braking or cornering. Honda’s engineering analysis estimates that only about 1 % of the vehicles in the recall population actually exhibit the defect, but because the failure could happen without warning, the company chose to recall the entire at‑risk fleet.
Despite the potential safety hazard, Honda reports that there have been no warranty claims, no reports of crashes, injuries, or fatalities linked to this issue. The low failure rate reflects the fact that most vehicles have not yet reached the corrosion threshold that would compromise the subframe. Nevertheless, the recall is being treated as a precautionary measure to eliminate any risk before corrosion progresses to a critical level. Owners are urged to respond promptly once they receive notification, even if their vehicle appears to be operating normally.
The remedy involves a free inspection of the rear subframe at any Honda or Acura dealership. Technicians will check for signs of corrosion and, if needed, install a reinforcement kit designed to strengthen the mounting points. In cases where the subframe is already compromised, the dealer will repair or replace the affected components at no charge to the owner. Honda emphasizes that the repair will restore the subframe to its original strength and eliminate the risk of sudden failure. Owners should schedule service as soon as they receive the recall notice.
Owner notification letters are scheduled to be mailed beginning July 7, 2024. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has assigned campaign number 26V367000 to this recall; Honda’s internal reference numbers are AOU and AOT. Starting June 10, 2024, vehicle owners can verify whether their VIN is included by visiting NHTSA.gov and using the recall lookup tool. For questions or to arrange service, customers may call Honda’s customer service line at 1‑888‑234‑2138. Honda advises owners to keep the recall letter and follow up with their dealer promptly to ensure the repair is completed.