Honda is recalling 635,808 Pilots, MDXs and TLXs because their power steering assist can switch off. The cause is an error in a steering software calculation, and the way the software was set up to react to it.
The short answer
In some 2023 to 2025 Honda Pilots, 2022 to 2024 Acura MDXs and 2021 to 2025 Acura TLXs, the electronic power steering (EPS) software can drop into a failsafe mode. Assist shuts off and the EPS warning lights come on, so the wheel takes more effort to turn. Dealers will reprogram the EPS control unit with corrected software. The NHTSA recall number is 26V721.
Which cars are in the recall?
From Honda's release and its report to NHTSA:
| Model | Model years | Built | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Pilot | 2023–2025 | Sep 13, 2022 to Dec 23, 2025 | 383,110 |
| Acura MDX | 2022–2024 | Dec 10, 2020 to Jul 10, 2024 | 177,100 |
| Acura TLX | 2021–2025 | Aug 11, 2020 to Aug 18, 2025 | 75,598 |
| Total | 635,808 |
The 2025 Pilot is the biggest single group, at 240,830 vehicles.
What goes wrong?
The steering software, written by supplier Robert Bosch Automotive Steering, includes a road-condition calculation used by the Driver Attention Monitor. Under certain conditions that calculation can divide by zero, which raises an internal error. The software was configured to answer that error by switching off power assist.
Honda says it only happens under certain conditions while the car is driving straight. Losing assist can make the car harder to control, which raises the risk of a crash or injury.
Why is Honda recalling them now?
Honda's own timeline in its report to NHTSA:
- November 29, 2021: first report of the problem
- August 2023 to August 2025: more reports and investigation
- August 22, 2025: Bosch finds the failure mode
- December 2025: Honda recreates it using dashcam footage
- October 22, 2026: Honda decides to recall
By then Honda counted 146 warranty claims and one injury report, with no reported deaths.
What should owners do?
Look up your 17-character VIN, found at the lower left of the windshield, on NHTSA's recall site. Dealer notification was scheduled for around October 30, and owner letters are due around December 14. NHTSA says dealers fix recalled parts for free.
On the street
NHTSA's recall record does not mark this as a park-it or park-outside recall. If assist cuts out, steering still works but takes more effort, which the report says can make the car harder to control. You don't have to wait for the letter: NHTSA's record says VINs for this recall are searchable on its site from November 11.
FAQ
Is the 2026 Pilot included?
The recall lists 2023 to 2025 Pilots built through December 23, 2025. A 2026 Pilot is not on the list.
What does the fix involve?
A dealer reprograms the EPS control unit with updated software.
Sources
- 2022-2025 Acura/Honda multi-model electronic power steering (EPS) software recall (Honda newsroom), read 2026-11-13
- Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V721 (NHTSA), read 2026-11-13
- Check for recalls (NHTSA), read 2026-11-13
- Recall record 26V721 (NHTSA recalls API), read 2026-11-13