Sudden power loss while driving can be a frightening experience. American Honda has announced a voluntary recall of approximately 295,000 Honda and Acura vehicles in the United States to address a potential issue that could lead to engine power loss. The recall focuses on a necessary car ECU unit reprogram to rectify improperly programmed software in the fuel injection electronic control unit (FI-ECU). This improper programming could trigger the check engine light and cause the engine to hesitate, stall, or lose drive power unexpectedly.
The issue stems from the FI-ECU software not being correctly programmed. This programming error can cause the vehicle’s engine to react adversely to rapid changes in throttle input. When this occurs, drivers might notice the check engine light illuminating on their dashboard, followed by engine hesitation or a complete loss of power. In some situations, the engine might stall, significantly increasing the risk of accidents. While American Honda states they have no confirmed reports of crashes or injuries related to this issue, the recall is a proactive measure to ensure driver safety and vehicle reliability.
To resolve this potential problem, authorized Honda and Acura dealerships will perform a free software update. This car ECU unit reprogram is designed to correct the faulty FI-ECU software and prevent the power loss issue from occurring. Owners of affected vehicles, including specific 2023-2025 Honda Pilot models and 2021-2025 Acura TLX Type S and 2022-2025 Acura MDX Type S models, will be notified by mail starting in March. The notification will instruct them to schedule a service appointment at their local Honda or Acura dealership for the free ECU reprogramming service.
Vehicle owners who want to determine if their car is part of this recall can take immediate action. By visiting www.recalls.honda.com or www.recalls.acura.com and entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), owners can quickly check their recall status. Alternatively, they can contact American Honda directly at (888) 234-2138 for assistance. American Honda strongly encourages affected vehicle owners to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive their recall notification to receive the free car ECU unit reprogram and prevent potential power loss incidents.
