NHTSA Launches Investigation Into Honda Crossover Sudden Power Loss Featured
Honda’s best-selling models in the United States are the CR-V and the HR-V. Model years 2018 to 2022 are being investigated for a safety defect that causes these vehicles to lose power at highway speeds. This represents a total of 1,720,728 crossovers sold in the U.S. alone.
Owners of these vehicles report leaks from the rear differential seal, which can lead to a lock-up of the rear differential. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) understands that some reports allege that “the lock-up caused the driveshaft to fracture while the vehicle was in motion,” which resulted in the vehicles losing power and requiring towing to the nearest dealership for diagnosis and repairs.
The safety watchdog didn’t mention how many Early Warning Reports (EWR) it has received thus far, although it wouldn’t have launched an investigation without a good reason. One reason being the increased risk of a crash and injury in the event of the rear differential locking up or the driveshaft seizing. ODI’s current priority is determining the scope and severity of this potential issue.