Honda recalls 635,808 Pilot, Acura MDX and TLX vehicles after power steering can switch off

Honda is recalling 635,808 vehicles in the United States because a software error can shut off power steering assistance, according to a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and summarized by FOX Business and FOX 5 New York. Drivers can still steer, but it takes more effort, which raises the risk of a crash.

Which vehicles

Honda says all of the vehicles in the recall potentially have the defect, per FOX 5. To check a specific car, enter its VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup.

What goes wrong

The filing describes electronic power steering software that is configured improperly. Under certain conditions the system drops into a failsafe mode, assist turns off and warning lights appear on the instrument cluster. FOX Business reports that the software was developed by supplier Robert Bosch Automotive Steering and contains an error in a calculation tied to the Driver Attention Monitor. Honda told NHTSA the problem occurs only under certain operating conditions while the vehicle is traveling straight.

How long Honda knew

Per the filing as reported, Honda first received a report in November 2021 and more between August 2023 and August 2025. FOX 5 reports engineers could not find the cause at first because error codes had been deleted by the dealer or supplier. The supplier identified the failure in August 2025, Honda reproduced it in December 2025, and on Oct. 22, 2026 it decided a safety recall was needed. From May 22, 2022 to that date Honda counted 146 warranty claims and one injury. FOX Business says no deaths were reported.

What owners should do

• Letters are scheduled to be mailed starting Dec. 14, 2026. You do not have to wait for one: a Honda or Acura dealer can look up your VIN.
• The repair is a reprogram of the power steering control unit at an authorized dealer, with no charge to the owner according to the reports.
• If the steering suddenly feels heavy, slow down and pull over safely. The wheel still turns, but needs more force, especially in a tight turn or at low speed.

Why it matters beyond the driveway

Pilots and MDXs are common family and small-business vehicles, including sales, contractor and delivery-adjacent use. A dealer reprogram is usually a short visit, but with more than 635,000 vehicles in one queue, expect service-department scheduling to tighten once letters go out. A business with several affected vehicles should book them in staggered slots so the whole fleet is not off the road on one day. Used-car shoppers should run the VIN before buying: an unrepaired open recall is worth knowing about before you agree on a price.

Honda has not said what the recall costs. Investors can follow the shares below; a software-only fix is a smaller expense than a parts recall, but the company has not given a figure, and we are not drawing one.

Sources: FOX Business, FOX 5 New York, both citing Honda's report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Not investment advice.