Honda is recalling 635,808 Pilot, MDX and TLX vehicles because a software error can suddenly shut off power steering assist while driving.
Story Snapshot
- The recall covers 2023–2025 Honda Pilot, 2022–2024 Acura MDX and 2021–2025 Acura TLX models.
- A software error can switch off power steering assist, making the wheel suddenly hard to turn.
- Honda has logged 146 warranty claims and one reported injury tied to the problem.
- Dealers will update the steering software free of charge, and owner letters go out starting December 14.
- Honda first heard of the issue in November 2021 and decided on October 22, 2026, that a recall was needed.
What Goes Wrong With The Steering
The recall was made public on Tuesday, November 10, when it was posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the federal agency that oversees car safety. Honda says a mistake in the software that runs the electric power steering can push the system into “failsafe mode.” That is a protective shutdown the system uses when it detects an error. When it happens, power steering assist turns off.
The driver does not lose steering. The wheel stays connected to the front wheels. But it suddenly takes much more muscle to turn, especially at low speeds such as in a parking lot. A warning light comes on in the dashboard when this happens. The federal agency warns that the harder steering could raise the risk of a crash.
According to the recall report, the error sits in a calculation tied to the Driver Attention Monitor, a feature that watches for signs of a tired or distracted driver. Under certain conditions, the software tries to divide a number by zero, which a computer cannot do. The steering system was set up to respond to that error by turning off assist.
Which Vehicles Are Covered
The Honda Pilot makes up the largest share, with 383,110 SUVs from the 2023 to 2025 model years. The recall also includes 177,100 Acura MDX SUVs from 2022 to 2024 and 75,598 Acura TLX sedans from 2021 to 2025, according to reports.
Honda has received 146 warranty claims linked to the problem, from May 2022 through October 2026, and one report of an injury. Honda first heard of the issue in November 2021. Early cases were hard to trace because dealers or suppliers had erased the error codes. Engineers were able to recreate the problem in December 2025, and Honda decided on October 22, 2026, that a recall was needed. It reported the recall to federal regulators on October 29.
How To Check Your Vehicle And Get The Fix
The repair is a software update. A Honda or Acura dealer will reprogram the power steering control unit with corrected software. No parts need to be replaced, and the work is free whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.
Honda plans to mail letters to owners starting December 14. Owners do not have to wait for the letter. Starting Wednesday, November 11, owners can enter their 17-character vehicle identification number, or VIN, on the federal safety agency’s recall lookup website to see if their vehicle is included. The VIN is printed on the driver’s side of the dashboard, where it can be seen through the windshield, and on registration and insurance papers. The recall’s federal campaign number is 26V721000. Any Honda or Acura dealer can also check a VIN.
Honda has not told owners to stop driving their vehicles. Drivers who see a steering warning light or feel the wheel suddenly turn heavy should drive carefully and have a dealer inspect the vehicle without waiting for the letter.
Sources:
fox9.com, motor1.com, carcomplaints.com, foxbusiness.com, thenewstribune.com