A Honda Pilot SUV (model years 2023–2025) driving on a rural road. The 2023–2025 Pilot is among the models affected by the recall. Honda is recalling nearly 295k vehicles due to an engine stall risk in the United States, following the discovery of a manufacturing defect that could cause engines to shut off while driving. This safety recall affects a range of recent Honda and Acura models and was prompted by an improperly programmed fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU) – a software error that may cause the engine to lose power or stall unexpectedly.
Such sudden engine stalling not only can leave drivers stranded, but it also increases the risk of a crash if a vehicle suddenly loses power on the road. Honda’s recall aims to fix this issue before it leads to any accidents, and owners of affected cars are urged to get the remedy as soon as it’s available.
What’s Causing the Engine Stall Risk?
According to Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem comes down to a software defect in the fuel injection system. The FI-ECU in certain vehicles was improperly programmed during manufacturing, which constitutes the defect at the heart of this recall. In practical terms, Honda explains that “due to improper programming of the FI-ECU, sudden changes in the throttle could illuminate the check engine light and cause the engine to lose drive power, hesitate and/or stall”, creating a stall-out scenario while driving.
In other words, if a driver rapidly presses or releases the gas pedal, the faulty software may shut the engine off or reduce its power drastically. This issue can occur without warning, and while Honda reports no confirmed crashes or injuries related to the defect as of mid-January 2025, the potential consequences of an engine stalling at highway speeds or in traffic are severe. A stalling engine could disable power steering or brakes, making it difficult to control the vehicle and heightening the risk of an accident. Because of this risk, Honda moved quickly to announce a voluntary recall once the defect was identified through internal monitoring of vehicle telematics data.
Which Honda and Acura Models Are Affected?
Honda’s recall covers approximately 294,612 vehicles in the U.S., including specific recent models of both Honda and its luxury brand Acura. The affected vehicles are:
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2023–2025 Honda Pilot SUVs
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2022–2025 Acura MDX Type-S SUVs
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2021–2025 Acura TLX Type-S sedans
If you own one of these models (or more specifically, the Type S variants for the Acura models) within the given year ranges, your vehicle is likely part of this recall. It’s worth noting that these are all relatively new vehicles, which means the engine stall issue is related to a recent software update or programming error introduced during the manufacturing process of these model years. Owners of older or other Honda/Acura models are not included in this recall, so the issue is confined to the three vehicle lines above. In total, nearly 295,000 vehicles are affected – a large recall reflecting Honda’s wide sales of the Pilot SUV and Acura’s popular MDX and TLX models in recent years.
Why Is an Engine Stall Risk So Dangerous?
An engine stalling while driving is more than just an inconvenience; it’s a significant safety hazard. When an engine stalls or suddenly loses power on the road, the driver can experience a loss of critical functions like power steering and power brakes, making the vehicle hard to control. If this happens at speed or in heavy traffic, the chances of a collision increase dramatically. Imagine driving on a highway and your car suddenly stops responding to the accelerator – it could slow down abruptly and surprise other drivers, potentially causing a rear-end crash or leaving you stranded in a dangerous spot.
Honda and safety regulators are concerned that the engine stall risk could lead to crashes or injuries if not addressed. This is why Honda’s recall is proactive: even though no accidents or injuries have been reported so far, the company doesn’t want to wait until something tragic happens. By issuing the recall now, Honda is taking action to prevent possible accidents, underscoring how critical it is to fix this defect. For drivers, it’s a reminder that responding to recall notices promptly is important for your safety and peace of mind.
How Will Honda Fix the Issue?
The good news for owners is that the fix for this engine stall defect is relatively straightforward. Honda has identified that the problem lies in the software of the fuel injection electronic control unit, so the solution is to update that software with the correct programming. Specifically, authorized Honda and Acura dealers will reprogram the FI-ECU software with a patch that contains the proper settings to prevent the stalling issue.
This remedy does not require any mechanical overhaul or part replacement – it’s essentially a software update for your car’s engine computer. According to the recall report, dealership service technicians will install the updated software (with the corrected control logic) free of charge to all affected vehicle owners.
The repair itself should be quick (often completed in a single service appointment) and will ensure that sudden throttle changes or other conditions no longer cause the engine to stall. Once the FI-ECU is reprogrammed, the engine stall risk should be resolved, and your vehicle’s performance should return to normal without the hazard of unexpected power loss.
Honda announced this recall in late January 29-2025 and is coordinating with the NHTSA on the process. Owner notification letters will be sent out by mail – Honda has indicated that registered owners of the affected Pilot, MDX, and TLX models will receive official recall notices around mid-March 2025.
These letters will contain instructions to schedule the free repair. However, you don’t need to wait for the letter to take action. If you suspect your vehicle is part of the recall, you can be proactive and reach out to a dealer or check online . Honda stated it is announcing the recall early “to encourage owners of affected vehicles to take them to an authorized dealer for repair as soon as they receive notification”.
In fact, Honda detected this issue internally via vehicle telematics and moved to issue the recall voluntarily, a sign that the company is prioritizing safety. So as soon as you’re aware your car is affected, you can plan to get the update done – there’s no cost to you, and it will eliminate the risk.
What Should Owners of Affected Vehicles Do?
If you own a 2021–2025 Acura TLX Type S, 2022–2025 Acura MDX Type S, or 2023–2025 Honda Pilot, here are the steps you should take to stay safe and get your vehicle fixed promptly:
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Verify if Your Vehicle Is Recalled: First, confirm whether your specific car is part of the recall. You can do this by visiting Honda’s official recall website or the NHTSA’s recall lookup page and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Honda has a dedicated recall lookup (via the owners.honda.com site) where owners can input their VIN to see any open recalls. You can also call Honda customer service at (888) 234-2138 to inquire about your vehicle. This step will give you peace of mind and instructions if your car is indeed affected.
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Watch for the Official Recall Notice: Honda will mail out recall notification letters by mid-March 2025 to all owners of the affected models. This letter will officially inform you of the recall and provide details on how to get the repair. Even if you already know about the recall, keep an eye out for this letter as it may contain a reference number and additional instructions. Make sure your vehicle registration and mailing address are up to date so that Honda’s notice reaches you.
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Contact Your Dealership for the Free Fix: Whether you’ve received the letter or confirmed via VIN lookup, the next step is to schedule an appointment with an authorized Honda or Acura dealership service center. Explain that your vehicle is part of the recall for the FI-ECU software update. The dealer will perform the reprogramming of the fuel injection control software at no cost to you. The procedure is essentially a software update and should be relatively quick – typically, you might wait at the dealership while it’s done or drop the car off for a short time. Be sure to mention the recall when scheduling so they allocate proper time for the fix.
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Drive Carefully If You Notice Symptoms: If you experience any signs of engine trouble (such as the check engine light coming on, unusual hesitation, or stalling) before getting the recall service, exercise caution. While it’s best to get the issue fixed ASAP, if your car does stall or lose power unexpectedly, try to safely pull over to the side of the road. Then contact your dealer for guidance. Knowing that this recall is in effect, they might prioritize your service. However, do not ignore the recall just because your vehicle hasn’t shown symptoms yet – the defect could manifest at any time, and preventative action is key.
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Stay Informed on Recall Developments: It’s a good idea to stay updated on any news from Honda regarding this recall. Sometimes automakers will release additional guidance or expand recalls if needed. In this case, Honda’s recall is well-defined, but you can check the Honda Newsroom or NHTSA’s website for any press releases or updates. Additionally, if you have friends or family with the same model cars, make sure they know about the recall too. This kind of word-of-mouth can help ensure all affected owners are aware and take action.
By following these steps, owners can ensure their vehicles are repaired and safe to drive. Honda’s fix – once applied – should resolve the engine stall risk entirely. After the software update, your car should operate normally without the danger of suddenly losing power due to this issue.
Broader Context: Vehicle Safety Recalls on the Rise
It’s worth noting that vehicle recalls for safety defects have become quite common in recent years, as automakers and regulators strive to catch and correct issues early. Honda’s recall of 295k vehicles is one of the larger recall campaigns, but it’s not an isolated case. In fact, around the same time, another major automaker, Kia, recalled over 80,000 vehicles due to airbag issues, according to NHTSA reports. Likewise, other manufacturers have issued recalls for problems ranging from faulty brakes to electrical fires. In 2024 alone, several of the biggest recalls involved hundreds of thousands – even millions – of vehicles being brought in for fixes.
This Honda engine stalling recall underscores how modern cars, which rely heavily on computer software, can sometimes face bugs or programming errors that affect safety. The upside is that such software-related problems can often be remedied with a simple update, as we see in Honda’s case, rather than requiring complex mechanical repairs.
For readers interested in automotive safety, it may be helpful to read our other articles on car recalls and maintenance. (For example, if you have a Hyundai or Kia, you might recall the recent fire-risk recalls, or if you drive another Honda model, check out our post on what to do when your car is recalled for general tips.)
By staying informed about recalls – whether it’s this Honda recall or any other – drivers can ensure they address issues promptly and keep their vehicles as safe as possible. Always remember, when you receive a recall notice, it’s not something to ignore or put off; it’s a free repair for a potentially dangerous problem, and taking care of it protects you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road.
Conclusion
The Honda recall of 295k vehicles due to engine stall risk is a critical preventive measure to fix a software glitch before it causes any harm. If you own one of the affected Honda Pilot or Acura MDX/TLX models, make sure to verify your recall status and get the free software update as soon as it’s available. Engine stalling can be frightening and hazardous, but Honda’s prompt action and remedy offer reassurance that the issue will be resolved. By following the guidance in the recall notice and contacting your dealer for service, you’ll help ensure your vehicle remains reliable and safe to drive.
Keep an eye out for the official recall communication from Honda, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your dealership or Honda’s support line if you have questions. With the software fix in place, you can drive with confidence knowing that the engine stall risk has been addressed. Safety is paramount, and recalls like this highlight the automotive industry’s commitment to correcting problems and keeping drivers safe on the road.
