Honda probed over engine failure risk in 1.4 million vehicles

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it’s aware of about 3,000 complaints alleging that 3.5 liter V-6 engines in Honda and Acura vehicles from the 2016 through 2020 model years failed because of faulty connecting rod bearings

US auto safety regulators are investigating the risk of potential engine failures in about 1.4 million vehicles made by Honda Motor Co.

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it’s aware of about 3,000 complaints alleging that 3.5 liter V-6 engines in Honda and Acura vehicles from the 2016 through 2020 model years failed because of faulty connecting rod bearings.

Seven of those involved a crash or fire, according to the agency. No fatalities or injuries have been reported because of the issue.

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation said it opened the probe after reviewing the complaints as part of a separate review of an earlier recall related to a different defective engine component.

The new reports of engine failure fell outside the scope of that earlier recall and present “a potential safety risk that warrants further investigation.”