Honda Fuel Pump Recall: Complete Guide to Affected Models, Free Repairs & Your Safety

A significant number of Honda and Acura vehicles, primarily model years 2017 through 2023, are affected by a major safety recall involving defective fuel pumps manufactured by supplier Denso. This recall requires the replacement of the fuel pump module assembly free of charge at authorized Honda or Acura dealerships to prevent sudden engine stalling while driving, a serious safety hazard. All owners should immediately check their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) using official Honda or Acura recall lookup tools to see if their vehicle requires this critical repair.

Honda first announced the recall campaign in North America in January 2020. The issue centers on low-pressure fuel pumps manufactured by Denso. Within these pumps, impellers were formed using a material susceptible to excessive fuel absorption under certain environmental conditions. Over time, particularly when vehicles were exposed to high temperatures or high humidity, the absorbed fuel could cause the impeller to deform. This deformation created unwanted friction against the fuel pump body.

This friction had severe consequences. It could cause the fuel pump to operate inefficiently, supplying insufficient fuel to the engine. In the worst-case scenario, the pump could completely fail during vehicle operation. The resulting symptom is engine stall without warning. An engine stall while driving at any speed significantly increases the risk of a crash, as power steering and power braking assist are lost, and the vehicle can suddenly coast or stop unexpectedly, especially in traffic or hazardous road conditions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received numerous complaints from owners documenting instances of dangerous stalling incidents before the recall was formally issued.

Preventing fuel pump failure is crucial. The primary remedy Honda offers for vehicles confirmed under the recall is the complete replacement of the fuel pump module assembly. Dealership technicians will install a newly designed fuel pump featuring an impeller constructed from a different, more resilient material that eliminates the fuel absorption and deformation risk inherent in the defective pumps. This replacement procedure, performed by certified Honda and Acura technicians using approved parts and procedures, is provided entirely free of charge to the vehicle owner. There are no out-of-pocket costs associated with this safety repair when performed under the recall at an authorized dealership. The service typically takes several hours to complete once the part is available and the vehicle is scheduled.

VIN verification is essential. Not every Honda or Acura from the potential model years requires repair. Recall eligibility is strictly determined by the specific Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Honda has implemented a phased recall strategy, announcing new groups of affected VINs periodically as investigations continued. The scope expanded significantly beyond the initial January 2020 announcement, encompassing millions more vehicles across subsequent announcements in June 2020, October 2020, January 2021, March 2023, and March 2024. Some vehicles received interim "repair parts available" notices later than others. Owners must therefore check their precise VIN status using official channels to determine if their specific vehicle is involved in the current recall campaign and requires the pump replacement. Simply knowing your car's make, model, and year is insufficient without the VIN check.

Official channels provide definitive answers. Honda and Acura maintain dedicated recall information sections on their official North American websites:

  • Honda Owners: recalls.honda.com
  • Acura Owners: recalls.acura.com

These websites feature clear fields for entering your vehicle's unique 17-character VIN. After submission, the system provides an immediate report on all open recalls affecting that specific vehicle, including the fuel pump recall. The results will clearly state whether the fuel pump recall applies and the status of the repair for your specific car (e.g., "Recall Incomplete", "Repair Available", "Recall Complete"). Vehicle owners can also call Honda Automobile Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138 or Acura Client Service at 1-888-234-2138 and provide their VIN for verification over the phone. Additionally, owners may receive official mailed notification letters directly from Honda or Acura, especially if their vehicle is confirmed in a later expansion of the recall. It's vital to ensure the manufacturer has your current address on file.

Addressing this recall requires timely action. If your VIN check confirms an open fuel pump recall, the most important step is contacting an authorized Honda or Acura dealership promptly. Recall repairs are prioritized, and dealerships are fully equipped and compensated by Honda to perform these repairs. Due to the massive scale of this recall (affecting over 2.5 million vehicles in the US alone) and the need to manufacture millions of new fuel pumps, parts availability was a challenge, especially early in the campaign. Honda generally implemented a phased parts distribution, prioritizing vehicles based on risk factors like age or climate. When you contact your dealership, they will:

  1. Confirm the recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Check parts availability for your specific model/VIN.
  3. Schedule an appointment for the replacement when the part is in stock or inform you if there is a current delay.
  4. Perform the replacement service free of charge when parts are available and the car is brought in.

Honda consistently emphasized that if parts were temporarily unavailable upon initial contact, dealers would order the necessary parts and contact owners once the parts arrived for scheduling. Driving the vehicle with an open fuel pump recall does pose a risk. While not every affected pump fails immediately, the potential consequence of sudden engine stall is severe. If you experience any symptoms suggestive of fuel pump trouble, such as engine hesitations, loss of power while accelerating, sputtering, or difficulty starting, it is critical to stop driving the vehicle and have it towed to a dealership immediately. Notify the service department that the vehicle has an open fuel pump recall and is exhibiting failure symptoms. Even without symptoms, schedule the recall repair as soon as parts are confirmed available for your VIN.

Understanding the scope of affected vehicles requires details. Given the phased nature of the recall announcements, the list of potentially impacted Honda and Acura models spans several years. Below is a consolidated list of models identified through the various recall announcements as potentially included in this campaign in the United States market. Note that inclusion of a model/year here does not guarantee every VIN is recalled; confirmation via VIN lookup remains mandatory. Acura models are also included under Honda's umbrella for recall purposes.

  • Honda Models:
    • 2017-2020 Honda Accord (including Hybrid)
    • 2017-2020 Honda Civic (FCX/Clarity Fuel Cell vehicle uses different components and is NOT included)
    • 2018-2020 Honda CR-V
    • 2017-2020 Honda CR-V Hybrid
    • 2018-2020 Honda HR-V (Vezel)
    • 2017-2020 Honda Insight
    • 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey
    • 2019-2020 Honda Passport
    • 2017-2020 Honda Pilot
    • 2017-2020 Honda Ridgeline
    • 2018-2019 Honda Fit (Jazz)
    • 2019 Honda HR-V (specific earlier models)
    • 2020-2021 Honda Civic Type R (limited inclusion later)
    • 2020 Honda HR-V / Vezel Hybrid (certain units)
    • 2021 Honda Accord (specific early production)
    • 2021 Honda Civic (specific early production)
    • 2021 Honda CR-V (specific early production)
    • 2021 Honda HR-V (specific early production)
    • 2021 Honda Insight (specific early production)
    • 2021 Honda Odyssey (specific early production)
    • 2021 Honda Passport (specific early production)
    • 2021 Honda Pilot (specific early production)
    • 2021 Honda Ridgeline (specific early production)
    • 2022-2023 Honda Accord (specific production periods)
    • 2023 Honda HR-V (specific production periods)
    • 2023 Honda CR-V (specific production periods)
  • Acura Models:
    • 2017-2020 Acura ILX (excluded from very first January 2020 announcement, later included)
    • 2017-2020 Acura MDX
    • 2017-2020 Acura MDX Hybrid
    • 2017-2020 Acura NSX
    • 2017-2020 Acura RDX
    • 2017-2020 Acura RLX (and RLX Hybrid)
    • 2017-2020 Acura TLX
    • 2019-2020 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid (separate recall grouping for some)
    • 2020-2021 Acura TLX (specific early production)
    • 2021 Acura MDX (specific early production)
    • 2021 Acura RDX (specific early production)
    • 2021-2022 Acura TLX (specific production periods)
    • 2023 Acura RDX (specific production periods)
    • 2023 Acura Integra (specific production periods)

This list highlights the extensive nature of the campaign. Vehicle identification number verification remains paramount.

Owners have specific rights and responsibilities. Honda is legally obligated to fix this safety defect free of charge. You have the right to receive this repair at no cost, regardless of your vehicle's warranty status. Recall repairs do not expire. Even if you receive the recall notice years later or purchase a used vehicle that still has the recall incomplete, the manufacturer is still responsible for providing the free fix. Owners should:

  • Respond Promptly: Do not ignore recall notices or verification results indicating an open recall.
  • Provide Valid Contact Info: Ensure your current address is registered with Honda/Acura owner relations to receive future communications. You can update this information online through your official owner portal or by contacting customer service.
  • Confirm Recall Status Before Purchase: Always verify any used Honda or Acura vehicle's recall status using its VIN before finalizing a purchase. Ensure the fuel pump recall has been completed.
  • Be Aware of Delays: Be prepared for potential parts delays when initially scheduling. Supply chains stabilized significantly over time, but complex recalls often involve logistical challenges initially. Dealerships can provide the best estimate.
  • Follow-Up: If you were told parts were unavailable when you first checked, periodically recheck your VIN status (every few months) or contact your preferred dealership to inquire about parts status.
  • Document: Keep copies of your recall notification letters and any dealer service paperwork confirming the fuel pump replacement was performed. This is important for vehicle resale value and records.
  • Safety First: If experiencing symptoms or your vehicle stalls, do not attempt to restart and drive it; have it towed to a dealership immediately, citing the recall.

The recall process faced complexities. Conducting a recall of this magnitude presented operational hurdles for Honda and its dealer network. Key challenges included:

  • Supplier Coordination: Denso needed to rapidly design, validate, and ramp up production of an entirely new fuel pump specification across numerous vehicle applications, prioritizing millions of units while simultaneously managing existing non-defective pump production.
  • Parts Logistics: Manufacturing and distributing over 2.5 million replacement fuel pump modules across thousands of dealerships worldwide requires immense logistical planning and effort. Avoiding confusion and ensuring the correct part reached the correct dealership for specific VINs was critical.
  • Communication Management: Honda had to implement systems for owners to easily verify VIN status, manage staggered mailing campaigns as VIN lists were finalized, and deal with owner anxiety over potential risks before repairs were available. Expanding the recall scope multiple times also required clear communication to prevent confusion among owners whose vehicles were later added.
  • Service Capacity: Dealership service departments needed adequate training, tools, and time slots to handle the influx of recall vehicles alongside routine maintenance, demanding significant organizational effort.
  • Ongoing Analysis: The phased recall approach reflected Honda and NHTSA's ongoing analysis of field data and component testing to identify all potentially affected fuel pumps, understanding that determining the full universe of defective parts was complex.

Addressing common concerns ensures clarity.

  • "Is my vehicle safe to drive until repaired?" Honda's guidance, reiterated by NHTSA, is that you should contact a dealer immediately upon receiving a recall notice or verifying an open recall via VIN. If the dealer confirms parts are unavailable immediately, they will order them. Honda does not pre-emptively tell owners to stop driving all unrepaired vehicles en masse. However, the safety risk exists. If you have concerns or experience any unusual engine behavior, contact a dealer immediately. If symptoms occur, stop driving and request a tow.
  • "I bought the vehicle used; does the recall still apply?" Absolutely yes. The recall obligation is tied to the Vehicle Identification Number, not the owner. Any owner of the vehicle, whether the first or fifth, is entitled to the free repair. Used car dealerships also have a responsibility to check recall status.
  • "What if I already paid to replace the fuel pump?" If you paid for a fuel pump replacement specifically because of the symptoms related to this recall defect within the timeframe before the recall was announced for your vehicle, or before parts availability, you may be eligible for reimbursement from Honda. Contact Honda customer relations directly with your service documentation (invoice clearly showing parts and labor for fuel pump replacement) for an evaluation. Honda established reimbursement procedures.
  • "How long does the replacement take?" While the fuel pump replacement itself is often completed in a few hours, dealership service departments operate on schedules. Plan for the possibility of leaving the vehicle for most of a day, especially if other maintenance is being performed simultaneously. Always confirm estimated time with the service advisor when booking.
  • "Will this repair solve all my future fuel pump problems?" The recall repair replaces the specific defective pump assembly susceptible to impeller deformation with a redesigned, validated component. It is intended to permanently fix the defect that caused the recall. Like any mechanical part, fuel pumps can potentially fail for unrelated reasons years later due to normal wear, contamination, or other factors, but this would be a separate incident unrelated to this defect and not covered under the recall warranty.
  • "Are vehicles outside the US included?" Similar recall campaigns related to the Denso fuel pumps have been implemented by Honda globally, including in Canada, Mexico, Japan, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. The specific VIN ranges and model coverage may vary slightly by region. Owners outside the US should check their local Honda or Acura national websites for recall information specific to their market.

Completing the recall repair safeguards vehicle operation. Once the authorized Honda or Acura dealership has replaced the fuel pump module assembly with the updated part, the critical safety defect is resolved. Technicians clear the recall from the vehicle's record in the national Honda/Acura database. Owners receive a formal service invoice or completion statement detailing the recall repair performed. This documentation proves the vital safety work was completed, enhances the vehicle's history record, and provides peace of mind that the specific risk of fuel pump failure due to impeller deformation has been eliminated. Regular vehicle maintenance, including using quality fuel and replacing fuel filters per the maintenance schedule, contributes to overall fuel system health, but the recall itself specifically addresses the inherent defect present in the millions of recalled pumps. Ensuring this recall is closed is the single most important action owners of affected vehicles can take regarding this issue.

Ignoring this recall is dangerous. While the probability of failure for any single unrepaired vehicle might be low statistically, the consequence of engine stall is severe and unpredictable. It can happen at any speed, under any driving conditions. Repair availability is widespread, and the fix is free. Responsible vehicle ownership dictates taking prompt action to eliminate this known safety hazard. Check your VIN today.

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