Honda is pulling more than 635,000 vehicles off American roads due to a software malfunction that can suddenly disable power steering, making cars harder to control and raising the likelihood of accidents.
Scale and Scope of the Recall
The recall affects 635,808 Honda and Acura vehicles across multiple model years, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected models include 383,110 Honda Pilot SUVs from 2023 through 2025, 177,100 Acura MDX SUVs from 2022 through 2024, and 75,598 Acura TLX sedans from 2021 through 2025. Honda has documented one injury and 146 warranty claims related to the defect as of October 22, though no fatalities have been reported.
The problem originates from incorrectly configured electronic power steering software developed by automotive supplier Robert Bosch Automotive Steering LLC. Under certain driving conditions, the faulty software causes the steering system to enter failsafe mode, shutting off power steering assistance while warning lights activate on the dashboard. Drivers retain the ability to steer, but significantly more physical effort is required, potentially compromising vehicle control during critical moments.
Timeline of the Investigation
Honda first received reports of the steering issue in November 2021 but required years of investigation to identify the root cause. The supplier pinpointed the software failure in August 2025, and Honda successfully replicated the problem in December of that year. By February 2026, engineers confirmed the defect occurs exclusively under specific operating conditions while vehicles travel in a straight line. Honda officially determined the issue constituted a motor vehicle safety risk on October 22 and authorized the recall.
What Owners Need to Know
Affected vehicle owners will receive instructions to schedule appointments at authorized Honda or Acura dealerships, where technicians will reprogram the electronic power steering control unit with corrected software at no charge. Honda plans to mail notification letters to registered owners starting December 14. Vehicle owners can verify whether their cars are subject to this or any other open recall by entering their vehicle identification number at the NHTSA website. The repair process involves a software update that addresses the configuration error responsible for the unexpected failsafe activation.
Sources
Foxbusiness: Honda recalls more than 635,000 vehicles over steering defect that increases crash risk