Recall Focused on Steel Lug Inserts
American Honda is issuing a recall for the Civic, specifically models made from 2016 to 2021. The recall is to “inspect a limited number of accessory wheels,” totaling 3,276 units, leading to a total vehicle recall affected tally of approximately 406,000.
In a statement advisory, the Japanese marque had this to say:
“Due to a manufacturing process error by a supplier, the steel lug seat inserts in aluminum accessory wheels may not have been installed (pressed) into the nut seating surface. During normal vehicle operation, the lug nut seating surface may deform, which could cause the wheel nuts to loosen and detach. This could result in the wheel separating from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.”
Owners of possibly affected vehicles are being asked to visit an authorized dealer to have their car inspected.
Honda
It’s Not Just Honda
As alarming as this recall sounds, Honda isn’t actually the first brand to issue a recall with words like “wheel separating from vehicle” and “risk of crash or injury.” In 2022, there were two such recalls, one from EV brand Rivian and the other from auto giant Toyota.
In Rivian’s case, 12,000 vehicles were affected, split between the R1T and R1S. The main issue was that the improperly tightened fastener could cause the wheel to detach.
Toyota’s recall was somewhat more controversial due to its impact on the brand’s first-ever EV offering, the bZ4X. At the time the recall was announced, the bZ4X was a relatively new model that had a ‘hub bolt’ problem, which could also cause wheel detachment. Around 2,700 bZ4Xs were affected.
A More Recent One from the Blue Oval
The most recent similar recall occurred in 2023, when Ford issued a recall for a “small batch” (1,434 units) of Rangers and Broncos due to lug-nut issues. Some lug nuts on the driver’s side of the car might not have been properly tightened, which, of course, leads to… well, you guessed it – detached wheels.
Needless to say, any recall should be taken seriously, but one concerning an essential vehicle part that can detach or fall off completely during use is a serious safety hazard.
Ford
