Honda vehicle recall in the U.S. could affect 1.7 million vehicles

The possibility of a huge recall of Honda HMC vehicles in the U.S. is on the horizon.

The investigation is looking into allegations of loss of power for some drivers at highway speeds without warning. The power loss failure is due to differential seal leaks which resulted in rear differential lock-up, per NHTSA field reports. The rear differential controls the speed at which the two rear wheels rotate.

NHTSA says some rear differential lock-ups caused the drive shaft to fracture while it was in motion.

A Honda spokesman said in a written statement to Yahoo Finance :

A NHTSA investigation like this is the first step the agency takes before it can force an automaker to execute an official recall. Automakers initiate most recalls.

This is the second investigation into Honda opened by NHTSA this year. In June, NHTSA looked into an issue involving the inadvertent activation of Honda's automatic emergency braking feature. The investigation could affect around 1.7 million Honda Accord and CR-V vehicles. The investigation is ongoing and there isn't yet any action taken for this braking issue.

According to NHTSA data, Honda only had 6 recalls this year, affecting 254,171 vehicles, one of the lowest totals among major manufacturers. Ford F has had 65 recalls, affecting 8.6 million Volkswagen VOW vehicles, so far in the year 2022. 3 DE has had 43 affecting 1 million and Chrysler STLA has 37 affecting 1.87 million. Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance.