Federal safety regulators and American Honda Motor Co. released the complete model-year breakdown on Thursday, November 12, 2026, for the massive 635,808-vehicle electric power steering (EPS) recall, confirming that three of the automaker's flagship family haulers and luxury sedans—the 2023–2025 Honda Pilot, the 2022–2024 Acura MDX, and the 2021–2025 Acura TLX—make up the bulk of the affected U.S. fleet. According to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a software logic flaw inside the power steering control module can unexpectedly disable steering assistance while driving.
The release of the model-specific VIN list triggered a massive spike in U.S. Google Trends searches on Thursday for 2023-2025 Honda Pilot steering recall, 2022-2024 Acura MDX recall, 2021-2025 Acura TLX power steering, and NHTSA Honda 635,808 recall list.
Exact Model Years Included in the Honda and Acura Steering Recall
Owners across the United States had been waiting for model-year confirmation since initial NHTSA bulletins surfaced earlier this week. On Thursday morning, Honda and Acura service divisions confirmed the specific production windows impacted by the Electric Power Steering (EPS) electronic control unit (ECU) software error:
- 2023–2025 Honda Pilot (Three-Row Family SUV): The fourth-generation Pilot accounts for the largest share of recalled crossovers, affecting two-wheel-drive and i-VTM4 all-wheel-drive trims built between late 2022 and mid-2025.
- 2022–2024 Acura MDX (Three-Row Luxury SUV): Includes standard MDX and high-performance MDX Type S models equipped with integrated electronic power steering racks.
- 2021–2025 Acura TLX (Luxury Sport Sedan): Covers second-generation TLX 2.0T and Type S sedans produced across five model years at Honda's Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio.
- Sudden Loss of Power Steering Assist: If the EPS control module misinterprets electrical noise or torque sensor fluctuations, it can enter a fail-safe state that shuts off power assist mid-drive and illuminates an amber steering wheel icon on the dashboard.
- Free Dealer Software Reprogramming: Authorized Honda and Acura dealers will update the EPS control unit software at no cost to vehicle owners in a service visit taking approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
Why the EPS Software Glitch Poses a Higher Risk at Low and Highway Speeds
Modern three-row SUVs like the Honda Pilot and Acura MDX weigh between 4,300 and 4,800 pounds curb weight and rely entirely on high-output electric motors rather than traditional hydraulic pumps to assist the driver in turning the front wheels. When the EPS software falsely detects a sensor fault and cuts electrical assistance, the mechanical steering linkage remains intact, but the physical effort required to turn the steering wheel increases dramatically.
Safety engineers warn that an unexpected transition to unassisted manual steering can surprise drivers while navigating tight parking structures, making left-hand turns across traffic, or executing highway evasive maneuvers, substantially increasing the risk of a collision.
How to Check Your Honda or Acura VIN and Schedule the Fix
Honda stated that official recall notification letters will be mailed to registered owners beginning in early December 2026. However, drivers of 2023–2025 Honda Pilot, 2022–2024 Acura MDX, and 2021–2025 Acura TLX vehicles do not need to wait for a letter in the mail. Owners can immediately check their 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on recalls.honda.com, recalls.acura.com, or NHTSA.gov/recalls, or call their local dealership service department to book the software flash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which specific Honda and Acura models are included in the 635,808-vehicle steering recall?
The recall primarily covers the 2023–2025 Honda Pilot SUV, the 2022–2024 Acura MDX luxury SUV, and the 2021–2025 Acura TLX sedan across the United States.
Is it safe to drive my 2023–2025 Honda Pilot or Acura MDX before the recall software update?
While the vehicle remains mechanically steerable even if the fault occurs, drivers should exercise caution and bring the vehicle to an authorized dealer immediately if the amber power steering warning light appears on the instrument cluster.
How long does the Honda and Acura power steering recall repair take?
The recall remedy is a software reprogramming of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) control module performed free of charge at any Honda or Acura dealership, typically taking less than 45 minutes.