If you own a Honda or Acura, you need to check your driveway immediately. A massive safety recall affecting 2.5 Million Honda and Acura Vehicles Are Recalled!!! Here’s The Reason for a dangerous fuel pump defect. This isn’t a minor issue—it’s a critical flaw that could cause your engine to stall while driving, putting you at serious risk.
This recall is huge, covering many popular models from 2017 through 2020. The problem lies inside the fuel tank. A faulty fuel pump component can fail, starving the engine of gas. We’ll break down everything you need to know: which models are affected, what the real danger is, and exactly what you should do next.
2.5 Million Honda and Acura Vehicles Are Recalled!!! Here’s The Reason
The core reason for this enormous recall is a defective fuel pump. The specific part is the fuel pump module, which is assembled by a supplier named Denso. Inside this module, the impeller—the part that actually moves fuel—is the culprit.
The impeller was manufactured with a low-density material. Over time, exposure to fuel can cause it to swell and become deformed. When this happens, the impeller doesn’t spin properly. It can’t generate enough pressure to send sufficient fuel to the engine.
What Happens When the Fuel Pump Fails?
The consequences are not just an inconvenience. They are a major safety hazard. Here’s the progression of what can occur:
- Engine Stalling: The most immediate and dangerous effect. Your engine can suddenly lose power and shut off completely while you are driving.
- Failure to Start: The vehicle may not start at all, leaving you stranded.
- Loss of Power: You might experience a significant loss of engine power, making it difficult to accelerate or maintain speed, especially on highways.
An engine stall while driving eliminates power steering and power brakes. It dramatically increases the risk of a crash, especially at high speeds or in busy traffic. This is why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Honda have classified this as a high-priority safety recall.
Which Honda and Acura Models Are Included?
The recall spans a wide range of vehicles. It’s crucial to check this list carefully, even if you think your car might not be included. The models involved are:
- Honda Models:
- 2018-2020 Honda Accord
- 2018-2020 Honda Accord Hybrid
- 2018-2020 Honda Civic
- 2018-2020 Honda CR-V
- 2018-2020 Honda HR-V
- 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey
- 2018-2020 Honda Ridgeline
- 2019-2020 Honda Insight
- 2019-2020 Honda Passport
- Acura Models:
- 2018-2020 Acura ILX
- 2018-2020 Acura MDX
- 2018-2020 Acura RDX
- 2018-2020 Acura RLX
- 2018-2020 Acura TLX
Remember, this list includes vehicles from the 2017 through 2020 model years. The specific build dates matter, so your next step is to confirm your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
How to Check if Your Vehicle is Recalled
Don’t rely solely on the model list. The definitive way to know if your car needs repair is to check your 17-character VIN. Here’s how to do it:
- Find Your VIN: Look on the lower-left corner of your windshield (seen from the outside), on the driver’s side door jamb sticker, or on your vehicle registration and insurance documents.
- Use Honda’s Official Recall Lookup: Go to the Honda Owners website or the Acura Owners website. There is a dedicated recall lookup tool.
- Enter Your VIN: Type your VIN into the search bar. The system will instantly tell you if your vehicle has any open recalls, including this fuel pump one.
- Call for Help: You can also call any authorized Honda or Acura dealership. They can run your VIN over the phone. Alternatively, contact Honda/Acura customer service directly.
Checking your VIN is free and only takes a minute. It’s the most responsible thing you can do for your safety.
What Should You Do if Your Car is on the List?
If your VIN check confirms your vehicle is recalled, take action right away. Here is your step-by-step plan:
- Do Not Panic: The recall is a preventative measure. Not every single fuel pump will fail, but the risk is significant enough to warrant replacement.
- Be Aware of Symptoms: Pay close attention to how your car drives. Warning signs include:
- Engine sputtering or hesitation, especially during acceleration.
- Longer than usual cranking time when starting the engine.
- A noticeable loss of engine power while driving.
- The check engine light may illuminate.
- Schedule a Repair Appointment: Contact your local Honda or Acura dealership to schedule the fix. The repair involves replacing the entire fuel pump module with a new, corrected version.
- Know That It’s Free: This recall repair is performed at no cost to you. The dealership will handle everything, and the service should take a few hours.
If you experience a stall while driving, try to safely maneuver your vehicle to the side of the road. Turn on your hazard lights and contact roadside assistance. Inform the dealership of the incident when you schedule your repair.
Why Did This Recall Take So Long?
You might wonder why a problem affecting models from 2017 is just now being addressed in a wide recall. These investigations often follow a pattern:
- Initial Reports: Honda and Acura started receiving warranty claims and field reports about engine stalls and no-starts several years ago.
- Root Cause Analysis: Engineers had to trace the problem back to its source. They identified the fuel pump and then the specific impeller supplier and manufacturing process.
- Supplier Investigation: Denso, the supplier, conducted its own probe and found the material density issue. This led to recalls by other automakers who used the same part.
- Safety Determination: Honda had to gather enough data to prove to regulators that the defect posed an unreasonable safety risk, which triggers the legal requirement for a recall.
- Parts Logistics: Securing 2.5 million new, corrected fuel pump modules takes immense planning and time. The company must ensure dealers have the parts before notifying all owners.
While it may seem slow, this process is designed to accurately identify the fix and prevent a parts shortage that would leave owners waiting even longer.
Your Rights and Responsibilities in a Recall
It’s important to understand what a recall means for you as a vehicle owner.
- You are entitled to a free repair for the specific defect described, performed by an authorized dealer.
- The repair should be completed in a reasonable time. If the dealer cannot get the part immediately, they should provide you with a timeline.
- You are responsible for getting the car to the dealer for service. Some dealers may offer pickup/drop-off services for major recalls—it doesn’t hurt to ask.
- If you already paid for a fuel pump repair for this exact issue, you may be eligible for reimbursement. Contact Honda/Acura customer service with your receipts.
Ignoring a recall notice is never a good idea. It compromises your safety, the safety of your passengers and others on the road, and can potentially affect your vehicle’s resale value or insurance coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is my Honda/Acura safe to drive before the repair?
If your vehicle is showing no symptoms (no stalling, no long cranks), it may be okay for essential driving. However, you should schedule the repair as soon as possible and avoid long trips or high-speed highways until it’s fixed. If you experience any symptoms, stop driving it and have it towed to the dealership.
How long will the fuel pump replacement take?
The repair itself typically takes a few hours. However, you should plan for the vehicle to be at the dealership for most of a day to account for check-in, the repair, and a quality verification. Always confirm the timeline when you schedule your appointment.
What if I sold my car or bought a used one that’s recalled?
Recalls follow the vehicle, not the owner. The current registered owner will receive a notice by mail. If you bought a used car, it’s your responsibility to check the VIN. If you sold a car, you can inform the new owner, but the legal obligation to fix it falls on the current owner taking it to a dealer.
Will this recall affect my car’s performance or fuel economy?
The new fuel pump module is designed to fuction exactly as the original part was intended, without the defect. You should not see any negative impact on performance or fuel efficiency. In fact, if your old pump was beginning to fail, you might see an improvement.
I heard about a previous Honda fuel pump recall. Is this the same one?
Honda has had multiple recalls for fuel pumps in recent years. This specific recall (NHTSA Recall 23V-838) is the largest and covers the models listed above. It is crucial to check your VIN for all open recalls, as your vehicle might be included in more than one.
Final Thoughts and Immediate Action
This recall of 2.5 million vehicles is one of the largest in recent memory for Honda. The reason—a faulty fuel pump that can lead to sudden engine stall—is a severe safety concern that demands your attention. Please don’t put this off.
Take two minutes right now to find your VIN and check your vehicle’s status. If it’s affected, call your dealership and schedule the no-cost repair. It’s a simple process that can prevent a dangerous situation on the road. Your safety, and the safety of everyone around you, is worth that small effort. Keep an eye on your mail for the official recall notice from Honda, but don’t wait for it to arrive before checking online. Proactivity is key when dealing with a potential problem of this magnitude.