The American Honda Motor Company is recalling over 200,000 SUVs in the United States over a potential fuel leak issue, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The Thursday recall affects 205,760 American-made units and pertains to certain Honda Passport vehicles, built between Feb. 15, 2023 and May 13, 2024, as well as Honda Pilot vehicles built between Feb. 14, 2023, and May 08, 2025.
The SUVs are recalled over concerns that the fuel filler neck tube and fuel filler pipe may separate, allowing fuel to leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire, the NHTSA said.
Honda was first made aware of the issue on May 13, 2024, when the company received a first warranty claim, coming from a dealer who inspected a vehicle prior to delivery.
The automaker began an investigation and a week later had found 6 other vehicles in its warehouse inventory with “an incomplete fuel filler neck tube to fuel filler pipe connection.”
So far, no additional warranty claims regarding this issue have been filed, the NHTSA said, and no related injuries or deaths have been reported.
Dealers have been notified this week of the problem, and registered owners of all affected vehicles will be contacted by mail on Jan. 6, 2025.
Car owners are urged to take their vehicle to a Honda dealer, where the fuel filler neck tube to fuel filler pipe connection will be inspected, and if necessary, properly connected free of charge, Honda said.
“The remedy does not include the replacement of any components,” the recall notice said.
Owners who paid to have this issue repaired at their own expense may be eligible for reimbursement, the NHTSA said.
Chevrolet and GMC trucks
In a separate NHTSA announcement this week, General Motors is recalling 132,037 heavy-duty pickup models equipped with optional power-unlatching tailgates. The tailgate’s electronic gate-release switch may short circuit due to water intrusion, resulting in the tailgate inadvertently opening.
“Until the recall is completed, owners should check that the tailgate closed and latched before driving.,” the NHSTA recommended.
Affected models are Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 models (66,669 units), and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 models (65,368 units), all built between Aug. 1, 2023 and Mar. 8, 2024.
Dealers will replace the exterior touchpad switch assemblies, free of charge. The replacement parts use a new material with improved water resistance, the NHTSA said.
So far, General Motors has received 237 field complaints of unwanted tailgate opening “while driving,” the NHTSA said. Fortunately, no crashes or injuries have been reported in relation to this issue.
Owners will be notified on Jan. 13, 2025.