The 2020 Honda Odyssey Elite at the 2019 North American International Auto Show held at Cobo Center in downtown Detroit on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019.

Federal safety regulators are investigating more than 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles over reports of engine malfunction that can lead to safety hazards.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation Aug. 20 into some vehicles equipped with 3.5-liter V6 engines that may experience issues leading to engine failure.

The agency said the issue was initially investigated during a November 2023 recall after its Office of Defects Investigation received more than 400 reports regarding "connecting rod bearing problems presumed to be the result of a crankshaft manufacturing defect."

The probe covers an estimated 1,410,806 vehicles, according to NHTSA.

The agency said the issue warrants additional investigation because of the significant number of reports and the potential safety risk to drivers.

Which models are affected?

The investigation affects vehicles in the following models and years:

  • 2016-2020 Acura MDX
  • 2018–2020 Acura TLX
  • 2016–2020 Honda Pilot
  • 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline
  • 2018–2020 Honda Odyssey

2024 probe reopened to 'more thoroughly evaluate the scope'

Last year, NHTSA investigated nearly 1.4 million Hondas over reports of engine issues after the Japanese automaker recalled about 250,000 vehicles in November 2023, Reuters reported. The recall sought to address a potential issue in the engine crankshaft that could lead to engine failure.

In NHTSA's latest letter, the agency said it was opening another investigation to further evaluate the severity of the engine issues and to assess safety concerns after it closed its last investigation.

For more information about the probe, call NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or visit www.nhtsa.gov.

Contributing: Reuters

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles investigated over engine failure. See impacted models.

Reporting by Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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