Honda Recalls Over 400,000 Civics for Dangerous Wheel Issue
Honda has recently issued a major recall affecting over 400,000 vehicles in the United States due to a potentially serious safety problem. The recall, announced on October 31 via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website, impacts 406,290 units of the popular Honda Civic, spanning model years 2016 through 2021. The concern centers around 18-inch alloy wheels that, under certain conditions, could detach from the vehicles while driving, significantly increasing the risk of a crash.
According to Honda, the issue originates from the steel lug seat inserts in the wheels. These inserts were not properly pressed into the nut-seating surface of the aluminum wheels during production. Over time, the wheel’s seating surface may deform while the vehicle is in operation, potentially causing the wheel nuts to loosen. If a wheel detaches while the car is moving, it can create a hazardous situation for the driver and others on the road.
Also Read:The problem was traced back to a supplier’s factory in Italy, where a fence that separated finished products from unfinished ones was moved. As a result, some unfinished wheels were mistakenly stored with finished products and shipped without undergoing the crucial seat press-fitting and final inspection process. Honda first became aware of the issue in July 2024 when a routine inspection in the Japanese market revealed missing lug seat inserts in a customer’s vehicle. Following an investigation, it was confirmed that the same problem existed in certain U.S. vehicles, prompting the recall in late October.
Owners of the affected Civics will be contacted by Honda and advised to take their vehicles to an authorized dealer. At the dealership, all four wheels will be inspected, and any defective wheels, along with the front and rear hubs if necessary, will be replaced. Dealers in the U.S. were notified about the recall starting October 31, with owners expected to begin receiving notifications around December 8. The NHTSA recall number for this issue is 25E071, while Honda’s internal recall reference is MMZ.
This recall is a reminder of how crucial thorough inspection and quality control are in automotive manufacturing. Honda has confirmed that the factory responsible for these wheels had already closed its manufacturing department in 2023, but the impact of this production error continues to affect thousands of vehicles today. Owners are urged to check whether their vehicle is part of the recall through the NHTSA recall database or Honda’s notifications to ensure their safety on the road.
In summary, if you own a 2016 to 2021 Honda Civic with 18-inch alloy wheels, it’s important to act promptly. Honda is taking responsibility and has arranged for affected wheels to be replaced at no cost, helping to prevent potential accidents and ensuring that every Civic remains safe to drive.
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