The engine may fail to start after shutting off at stops
of ConsumerAffairsTheNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)announced Friday it has launched anengineering analysis into 2.2 million Honda vehiclesfollowing hundreds of complaints about engines failing to restart after stopping at traffic lights or intersections.
The investigation focuses on HondasAuto Idle Stop (AIS) system, a fuel-saving feature that temporarily shuts off the engine when a vehicle is at a complete stop. Drivers say that in some cases,the engine does not automatically restart, leaving vehicles stranded in traffic. Several complainants reported needing tojump-start their vehiclesto get them moving again.
The issue affects a range of Honda models, including:
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Honda Pilot SUVsfrom model years2016 to 2025
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Honda Ridgeline pickupsfrom2020 to 2025
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Additional models may be included as the investigation continues
Previous fixes under scrutiny
The NHTSAsOffice of Defects Investigation (ODI)has received1,384 complaintsrelated to the issue, includingfour incidents that led to crashes or vehicle firesandtwo incidents involving injuries.
While Honda issued aservice bulletin in January 2023offering a two-part fix for affected vehicles, the NHTSA says it has continued to receive complaintsfrom drivers who had already received the repair.The new analysis will look into the effectiveness of Hondas countermeasures andassess whether a more comprehensive recall is needed.
This expanded probe will allow us to gather more data and determine whether the issue poses a significant safety risk, an NHTSA spokesperson said.
Whats next for drivers
Anengineering analysisis a more advanced stage of investigation that may lead to an officialvehicle recallif a safety defect is confirmed. Honda has not issued a formal recall related to the AIS malfunction at this time but has said it iscooperating fullywith NHTSAs investigation.
Consumers experiencing similar issues are encouraged to report them through theNHTSAs online complaint systematnhtsa.gov.
This probe comes as auto regulators face growing scrutiny over electronic vehicle systems and the reliability of tech-based fuel efficiency features.
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Posted: 2025-03-28 19:24:50
