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Tag: Honda

  • What If the Sensors on Your Car Were Inspecting Potholes for the Government? Honda Found Out

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    Modern cars are already equipped with various cameras and sensors monitoring other vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians to minimize or prevent collisions with them, and there’s more of that technology coming rapidly, especially with autonomous taxis. But what if that existing technology could report bad potholes or even deficient lane markings and signage? Honda found out.

    With an extensive manufacturing and development hub in Ohio, Honda partnered with the DriveOhio division of the Ohio Department of Transportation for a two-year study that evaluated whether vehicle-generated data would be effective to report roads in need of repair or deficient signage and directions to the transportation agency. The two-year pilot program, also in partnership with the University of Cincinnati, Parsons Corporation and i-Probe Inc, involved Ohio DOT workers driving Hondas equipped with various cameras and Lidar to cover about 3,000 miles of roads in the state.

    Honda started a prototype Proactive Roadway Maintenance System in 2021, with that program set up to detect problems including poor road quality for any vehicle type, damaged guardrails or road barriers, steep or deteriorating shoulder drops, and even insufficient or missing road striping and damaged or worn signage.

    “Production vehicle sensors are designed primarily for driving and safety – not for asset monitoring – but their ability to collect data continuously during daily driving creates unique value at scale,” Daisuke Oshima, president and CEO of i-Probe, said Thursday in a statement. “Unlocking that value requires analytics specifically designed to account for these characteristics, and this project shows how vehicle sensor data can complement existing inspection programs and support more proactive asset management.”

    Human employees verified what the cameras picked up and reported to the transportation department using Parsons’ technology and i-Robot verified the data and more subjective critiques of road roughness and quality of the lane markings and signage. Ultimately, the program proved successful 99% of the time for finding damaged or hidden signs, 93% for damaged guardrails and 89% for potholes, according to Honda.

    “By using real-time vehicle data to detect road hazards and infrastructure issues, Honda, ODOT and our project partners are demonstrating how smarter, adaptive solutions can enhance safety, reduce costs and enhance safety for everyone sharing the road,” Sue Bai, chief engineer, Sustainability and Business Development at American Honda, said in a statement Thursday.

    Honda said that Ohio’s DOT could save $4.5 million in road-related maintenance costs with the system because of a reduction in time spent on manual inspections, better repair scheduling and better planning for preventative maintenance. The automaker says it wants the next phase of testing to find ways for its drivers to anonymously share data with the correct agency and report problems with roads traveled, or to find areas that could need repair in the future.

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    Zac Estrada

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  • 2026 car buying tips and trends

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    Kristen Lee, the senior features editor at MotorTrends, joins “CBS Saturday Morning” with what to know about buying a car in 2026.

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  • Honda recalls nearly 257,000 cars over software flaw that can cause drivers to lose power

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    Honda is recalling 256,603 vehicles because of a software flaw that can cause drivers to lose power, increasing the risk of a crash, according to federal regulators.

    The recall affects Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles with model years 2023-2025, according to a Nov. 17 notice posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 

    The recall stems from an issue with the vehicles’ internal software, which could reset while a motorist is driving. Dealers will reprogram the defective software free of charge, the government agency said.

    Honda will send letters to affected owners on Jan. 5, 2026, NHTSA said. Owners can also call Honda’s customer service line at 1-888-234-2138. The recall number is TN2. Vehicle Identification Numbers involved in the recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning Nov. 18.

    Earlier this month, Honda also recalled more than 406,000 vehicles over a separate defect that can cause the vehicles’ wheels to detach. In June, the Japanese automaker recalled more than 259,000 vehicles in the U.S. because some cars could have a brake pedal defect. 

    Edited by

    Alain Sherter

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  • Honda EV Outlier Concept – Wicked Gadgetry

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    Honda EV Outlier Concept


    Honda EV Outlier Concept







    The Honda EV Outlier Concept, unveiled at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, is a futuristic electric motorcycle concept that embraces bold design and new riding experiences. It’s built around a dual in-wheel motor layout (front and rear) and eliminates a conventional drivetrain to give riders more freedom with weight distribution. No information on whether the Outlier will become a future production motorcycle.

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    Kyle

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  • Honda recalls more than 406,000 vehicles because wheels can come off

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    Honda is recalling 406,290 vehicles because of a manufacturing defect that can cause the wheels to detach, increasing the risk of a crash. 

    The recall affects Civic vehicles for model years 2016-2021, according to a Nov. 6 recall notice posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to the documents, some accessory aluminum wheels on the vehicles may not have the correct steel bolt seat, which could cause the lug nuts to loosen and potentially lead to the wheel detaching. 

    “American Honda expects a very small number of vehicles will require wheel(s) replacement,” a notice to Honda dealers said.

    Honda dealers will inspect the wheels of the recalled vehicles, and replace hubs and wheels if necessary at no cost to the owners, NHTSA said. 

    Notification letters will be mailed on Dec. 9, while owners can also call Honda’s customer service at 1-888-234-2138, the notice said. The recall number is MMZ. 

    Edited by

    Alain Sherter

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  • Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe on the Carmaker’s High-Stakes Return to Formula 1

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    Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe says the company’s 2026 Formula 1 comeback reflects a broader strategy linking performance, EVs and brand power. Jay Hirano/Honda Global

    Honda has moved in and out of Formula 1 multiple times over the past 60 years, depending on the state of business. “Business is going good sometimes, and going bad sometimes,” Honda Global CEO Toshihiro Mibe told a roundtable of reporters, including Observer, in Mexico City last week, ahead of the F1 World Championship Grand Prix. “So, sometimes we quit [racing] to focus on the core business,” he said through a translator.

    Next year, Honda will return to F1 as a standalone team in 2026, as F1 grows in global popularity and the Japanese auto giant navigates shifting consumer appetite for EVs, hybrids and internal combustion engine vehicles. As F1 grows in global popularity as the world’s most elite and expensive racing series, Honda’s comeback isn’t just about chasing podiums. It’s a calculated business move to merge performance, electrification, and brand relevance at a time when both automakers and consumers are redefining innovation.

    Honda’s approach to racing has always centered on building brand recognition. The company began its racing journey with motorcycles in the 1960s, when founder Soichiro Honda believed that entering F1 was the only way for the small Japanese carmaker to be taken seriously on the global stage. At the time, Honda had barely begun building cars—let alone the powerful machines needed for F1.

    Honda won its first F1 race in 1965 with the RA272, a car it brought back to Mexico City last week to commemorate the 60th anniversary of that victory. Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda took on the challenge of driving the vintage F1 car around Mexico’s 2.5-mile track ahead of the race on Oct. 26. Though the car stalled twice and needed a push out of the pits, it was a sight to behold.

    In the 1980s, Honda established the Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) to focus on motorcycle racing and prove its engineering prowess. Its racing technology eventually trickled down to consumer bikes. In 2022, HRC absorbed Honda’s four-wheel racing programs, including IndyCar and F1, to “provide some stability” for car racing and investment, said Mibe.

    Honda officially exited F1 at the end of the 2021 season to focus on EV development. But the company is now preparing a full-scale return in 2026 as the power unit supplier to the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team.

    “The reason we decided to participate in F1 is that our business is concentrated in North America, and because of Netflix, F1 has taken off,” Mibe said. “With the new homoglation, and our strong relationship between F1 and the U.S., we can use that for our business.”

    Honda’s largest market is the U.S., where it holds roughly 9 percent of the automobile market. This week, American Honda reported strong October sales, with total U.S. deliveries up 3.6 percent year-over-year. Growth was driven by demand for internal combustion vehicles, including the Accord and Passport, as well as electrified models like the popular CR-V hybrid. Notably, Honda sold a record 30,471 electric cars in October.

    A group of people surrounding a vintage Honda race car.A group of people surrounding a vintage Honda race car.
    The Honda RA272 at the Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix. Jay Hirano/Honda Global

    The race track is a sandbox for new tech

    Racing has always been a proving ground for automakers to push the limits of technology. F1, known for its blistering speed, high thermal loads and extreme engineering precision, is an ideal environment to test advancements in everything from batteries to engines.

    The demands of F1—extreme acceleration, punishing temperatures, and ultra-efficient energy recovery—push performance, packaging and durability to levels far beyond what consumers experience. Yet, many of those lessons eventually find their way into everyday vehicles.

    Honda’s decision to return to F1 was driven in part by upcoming regulation changes, said Ikuo Takeishi, general manager of HRC’s automobile racing division. Beginning in 2026, all F1 power units must be 50 percent electric and 50 percent internal combustion, powered by sustainable fuel. That balance aligns with Honda’s long-standing focus on hybrid and battery technologies. At the same time, it underscores how Honda, like many major automakers, continues to rely on internal combustion technology amid headwinds for EVs and shifting consumer preferences.

    “The technology we’re using in F1 won’t show up directly in consumer cars,” Takeishi said. “But much of what we learn on the track can show up in consumer cars,” he added, citing improvements in battery technology and efficiency gains from high-powered magnets.

    Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe on the Carmaker’s High-Stakes Return to Formula 1

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    Abigail Bassett

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  • Safety regulators probe 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles over engine failures

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    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is looking into reports of engine failure involving more than 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles, according to documents recently posted on the regulator’s website.

    The engine failures were initially investigated under a previous NHTSA recall in November 2023, after the Office of Defects Investigation received 414 reports of connecting rod bearing problems that were suspected to be the result of a crankshaft manufacturing defect. 

    However, NHTSA closed the investigation after it determined the engine failures were outside the scope of the 2023 recall and not caused by “the same crankshaft manufacturing defect that is addressed by Honda in Recall 23V-751,” the latest documents state.

    Because of the significant number of reports involving vehicles from Honda and the automaker’s Acura brand, NHTSA said it will open a new investigation “to further evaluate the scope and severity of the potential problem and to fully assess the potential safety-related issues.”

    The probe includes the following models and years:

    Honda

    Acura

    • 2016-2020 Acura MDX
    • 2018–2020 Acura TLX

    Anne Marie D. Lee

    Anne Marie D. Lee is an editor for CBS MoneyWatch. She writes about topics including personal finance, the workplace, travel and social media.

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  • Honda recalls 1.7 million U.S. vehicles over steering risk

    Honda recalls 1.7 million U.S. vehicles over steering risk

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    10/9: CBS Morning News

    20:35

    Honda Motor is recalling 1,693,199 vehicles in the U.S. because of potential steering problems.

    The steering gearbox worm wheel, which controls steering, may have been manufactured incorrectly in affected vehicles and swell while in use, thinning out the film of grease between the worm wheel and worm gear, according to documents posted Wednesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

    In addition, the cars’ worm wheel spring preload — a measurement of spring compression — was set too high. As a result of the two flaws, affected vehicles may become hard to steer. 

    “Increased friction between the worm gear and worm wheel can increase steering effort and difficulty, increasing the risk of a crash or injury,” the recall states.

    Warning signs of gearbox defects include an abnormal noise and a “sticky” feeling when attempting to turn the steering wheel while driving, the recall documents state.

    The recall applies to the following U.S. models of Honda cars:

    Acura

    • 2023-2025 Acura Integra
    • 2024-2025 Acura Integra Type S

    Honda 

    • 2022-2025 Honda Civic Sedan
    • 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan
    • 2022-2025 Honda Civic Hatchback
    • 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Hatchback
    • 2023-2025 Honda Civic Type R
    • 2023-2025 Honda CR-V
    • 2023-2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid
    • 2025 Honda CR-V Fuel Cell
    • 2023-2025 Honda HR-V

    Honda’s U.S. unit urges owners of affected models to take their vehicle to an authorized dealer for repair as soon as they receive notification. 

    As a remedy, dealers will replace the worm gear spring and redistribute or add grease as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Nov. 18, 2024. 

    Owners may contact Honda Customer Service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda’s numbers for this recall are SJS, MJU, QJT and VJV.

    Owners may also contact NHTSA’s safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (toll-free at 1-800-424-9153) or go to www.nhtsa.gov for further information. NHTSA’s number for the recall is 24V-744.

    Anne Marie Lee

    Anne Marie D. Lee is an editor for CBS MoneyWatch. She writes about topics including personal finance, the workplace, travel and social media.

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  • Street Lines: 2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite SUV 

    Street Lines: 2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite SUV 

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    Already renowned for high quality, reliability, and value to name a few accolades throughout the decades, Honda continues to step their game up. This time, they are going fully electric with their first, all-electric Prologue AWD Elite SUV. Loaded with advanced technology, a sleek design, and impressive performance, the long-awaited introduction validates the hype. Coming in three trims—EX, Touring, and Elite—the latter is the top-of-the-line model that we had the pleasure to review.

    Honda Prologue Elite

    Honda is applauded for getting more aggressive in the styling department; dressed in a gorgeous North Shore Pearl paint, the frame is curvaceous, windows have a stealthy tint, and the LED lighting in the front and rear are thin lined to fit today’s trends. Sitting on 21-inch alloy wheels raises the cool factor too, plus a panoramic moonroof for optimal stargazing. Drivers get rewarded with heated side mirrors and power tailgate and sensors providing hands-free access when hands are full.

    Honda Prologue Elite

    The interior is spacious, seating five adults comfortably in cushy, dual-toned leather-trimmed seats; the front comes heated and ventilated, while dual-zone climate control keeps everyone comfortable. Cargo options get inventive thanks to a 60/40 split fold-down in the back row, justifying the nod for an SUV. Loads of tech continue to pamper passengers, including a wireless phone charger, multiple USB-C charging ports, a 110-volt power outlet, Wi-Fi, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, plus Google built-in and OnStar applications to assist with finding destinations collectively show how dedicated Honda is to convenience. Whoever is behind the wheel also gets treated to an 11-inch digital instrument cluster, 11.3-inch touchscreen, Head-Up Display, and a theateresque sound quality generated by the 12-speaker Bose sound system makes virtually every commute a desire.

    Honda Prologue Elite

    The Prologue is equipped with a dual electric motor, all-wheel drive performance tops off at 273 horsepower for a more-than-adequate jump when on the road. There are two drive modes to customize the experience behind the wheel, including Normal and Dynamic Drive (Sport) options. The vehicle’s multi-link front and rear suspension enhances handling and comfort, creating a smooth and responsive ride. The regenerative braking with one-pedal driving capability optimizes energy use of the 85-kWh battery capacity and fully get the most bang for your buck regarding the 273-mile EPA range. Minds are at ease due to the plethora of safety features, including 360-degree camera view, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, and numerous alerts to prevent virtually every collision to name a few.

    Be sure to explore all the benefits of going electric, including tax credits, and using the three charging package options via home installation and public charging through the HondaLink app. Besides skipping petro trips, there are also ways to save money while living environmentally responsible by going the EV route. 

    Overall, Honda has done an impressive job introducing the Prologue, an SUV that paves the ground for a lot more vehicles we can appreciate and proudly plug in.  

    Fuel Economy: 99 city/84 highway/92 combined

    Price: The 2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite SUV is $57,900 MSRP. (The North Shore Pearl paint is optional $455)

    For more information, visit Automobiles.honda.com.

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    Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton

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  • Honda HR-V rear windows are shattering in the cold. Consumer Reports says the car should be recalled.

    Honda HR-V rear windows are shattering in the cold. Consumer Reports says the car should be recalled.

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    Some Honda owners experience spontaneous rear windshield shattering: On Your Side


    Some Honda owners experience spontaneous rear windshield shattering: On Your Side

    05:07

    Hundreds of Honda HR-V owners have reported that their rear windows shattered suddenly, a problem that Consumer Reports says warrants a recall due to the safety risk posed to drivers from “spontaneous shattering of glass.”

    The issue impacts 2023 HR-V models, with Consumer Reports noting that the publication experienced the defect itself when one of its auto testers warmed up the car using a remote start function on a cold morning. While no one was injured, the tester had to clean glass shards from his driveway and, without a rear windshield, the car was exposed to the cold weather and possible theft. 

    Honda HR-V owners have lodged more than 300 complaints about shattered rear windshields with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is an unusually high number for a newer model, Michael Brooks, executive director at the advocacy group Center for Auto Safety, told Consumer Reports. 

    Link to defroster, Honda says 

    “While our vehicle was parked inside our garage, the rear windshield completely shattered outward, without any impact or object hitting it … It was like it exploded,” one HR-V owner wrote in a complaint with the NHTSA, noting the incident occurred January 20 in Flanders, New Jersey. On that day, the temperature hit a low of 18 degrees, according to Weather Underground. 

    The owner added, “It was very scary and unsettling and could have been incredibly dangerous/life threatening if I had been driving with my young child anywhere.”

    In an emailed statement to CBS MoneyWatch, Honda said that it has received “a limited number of reports of rear-hatch glass breaking on 2023 Honda HR-V vehicles associated with rear defroster use.” The issue is related to the assembly process for some vehicles due to the sealer used to secure the rear window coming in contact with the defroster’s heating elements. Over time, that can weaken the glass, the automaker said.

    Recall suggested

    Consumer Reports said the defect should prove dangerous to HR-V owners and passengers.

    “This is a known defect in some Honda HR-Vs, and especially if someone’s driving at high speed or in dense traffic, it could all too easily lead to a crash,” William Wallace, associate director of safety policy at CR, told the publication. “For the sake of its customers and everyone on the road, Honda should convert its service campaign to an official safety recall of all affected vehicles, which would help get the word out and maximize the number of owners who get their cars fixed.”

    What should HR-V owners do?

    In response to the reports of breaking rear windows, Honda said it is starting a “voluntary product update campaign,” and is securing needed replacement parts as quickly as possible. 

    “We estimate that this campaign will begin in April or May 2024. In the interim, any vehicle owner who experiences this type of rear glass breakage is invited to contact their nearest authorized dealer or Honda customer service (800-999-1009) to arrange a potential repair,” the company said.

    But Consumer Reports said that it believes the defect warrants a recall. 

    “For the sake of its customers and everyone on the road, Honda should convert its service campaign to an official safety recall of all affected vehicles, which would help get the word out and maximize the number of owners who get their cars fixed,” Consumer Reports’ Wallace said. 

    Without a recall, owners won’t be able to find Honda’s product update campaign when they search at the NHTSA’s recall site, CR noted. 

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  • Honda recalls 2.5 million cars because of stalling risk. See if your car is one of them.

    Honda recalls 2.5 million cars because of stalling risk. See if your car is one of them.

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    Toyota recalls 1 million vehicles


    Toyota recalls 1 million vehicles over air bag issue

    00:27

    Honda is recalling more than 2.5 million cars because the fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail, causing the vehicles to stall while driving and increasing the risk of a crash, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

    The fuel pump module in the recalled vehicles will be replaced by dealers at no charge, NHTSA said on Wednesday. Owners can also contact Honda customer service at (888) 234-2138. The automaker will start notifying owners of the recall by mail on February 5, the government agency said. 

    The recall comes only one day after Honda recalled about 106,000 CR-V hybrid sport utility vehicles because of a battery cable problem that can raise the risk of a fire during an accident. In the latest recall, some CR-V hybrids are also affected by the fuel pump issue. 

    Acura models under recall

    • Acura ILX, 2018-2020
    • Acura MDX, 2018-2020
    • Acura MDX hybrid, 2018-20
    • Acura NSX, 2017-2020
    • Acura RDX, 2018-2020
    • Acura RLX, 2018-2020
    • Acura TLX, 2018-2020

    Honda Accord models

    • Honda Accord, 2018-2020
    • Honda Accord hybrid, 2017-2020

    Honda Civic models

    • Honda Civic, 2018-2020
    • Honda Civic Type-R, 2018-2020

    Honda CR-V models

    • Honda CR-V, 2018-2020
    • Honda CR-V Hybrid, 2020

    Honda Odyssey, Ridgeline and other models

    • Honda Odyssey, 2018-2020
    • Honda Ridgeline, 2018-2020
    • Honda Clarity plug-in hybrid, 2018-2019
    • Honda Fit, 2018-2019
    • Honda HR-V, 2018-2020
    • Honda Insight, 2019-2020
    • Honda Passport, 2019-2020

    Aimee Picchi

    Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.

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  • Honda recalls 106,000 CR-V hybrid SUVs because of potential fire risk. Here’s what to know.

    Honda recalls 106,000 CR-V hybrid SUVs because of potential fire risk. Here’s what to know.

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    Honda Motor’s U.S. unit is recalling roughly 106,000 CR-V hybrid sport utility vehicles because of a battery cable problem that can increase the risk of a fire in an accident.

    The recall affects some CR-V SUVs for the model years 2020 through 2022, according to a notice posted Wednesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A missing fuse on a 12-volt battery cable outside the vehicles can cause the battery cable to short circuit or overheat during a crash, potentially sparking a fire.

    Honda said dealers will replace the battery cable for free, although CR-V owners who paid for any needed repairs may be eligible for reimbursement, NHTSA said.

    The automaker expects to notify affected car owners by mail on Jan. 29, 2024. Customers with questions can contact Honda customer service toll-free at (888) 234-2138 or NHTSA at (888) 327-4236, as well as at www.nhtsa.gov.

    Honda in November also recalled almost 250,000 vehicles in the U.S. because their bearings can fail, causing the engines to stall and increasing the risk of a crash. Also last month, the company recalled more than 300,000 Accord and HR-V vehicles because of a missing part that can cause seat belts to malfunction. 

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  • UAW accuses Honda, Hyundai and VW of union-busting

    UAW accuses Honda, Hyundai and VW of union-busting

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    UAW to organize workers at all US nonunion factories after winning new contracts in Detroit


    UAW to organize workers at all US nonunion factories after winning new contracts in Detroit

    07:38

    Honda, Hyundai and Volkswagen are illegally trying to intimidate workers organizing with the United Auto Workers at three U.S. manufacturing plants, the labor union said Monday in announcing that it has filed a complaint accusing the car makers of unfair labor practices.

    Honda workers are being targeted and surveilled by management for pro-union activity at the company’s plant in Greensburg, Indiana, while VW executives have confiscated and destroyed pro-union materials at the company’s plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, according to the UAW. At Hyundai’s plant in Montgomery, Alabama, managers have unlawfully banned pro-union materials in non-work areas outside of normal working hours, the union claims. 

    “These companies are breaking the law in an attempt to get autoworkers to sit down and shut up instead of fighting for their fair share,” UAW President Shawn Fain, who was scheduled to livestream an update to non-union autoworkers Monday at 5 p.m. Eastern, said in a statement.

    Volkswagen said it takes such claims seriously and that it would investigate accordingly. “We are committed to providing clear, transparent and timely information that helps educate our employees and managers on their legal rights and obligations,” a spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch in an email. 

    “We are filing an unfair labor practice charge against Honda because of management illegally telling us to remove union stickers from our hats, and for basically threatening us with write-ups,” Honda worker Josh Cupit said in a video released by More Perfect Union, a labor advocacy group.

    Honda and Hyundai did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    The companies are among 10 foreign automakers the UAW said in November it would seek to unionize after the labor group reached contract agreements with Detroit’s Big Three automakers.  Although the trio are based overseas, the automakers — as well as BMW, Nissan, Mazda, Mercedes, Subaru, Toyota and Volvo — have manufacturing plants in the U.S. The UAW said its union drive would largely focus on factories in the South, where its recruiting efforts have so far yielded little success. 

    Kate Gibson

    Kate Gibson is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch in New York.

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  • Auto industry sees subscription fees as a future revenue stream

    Auto industry sees subscription fees as a future revenue stream

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    Auto industry sees subscription fees as a future revenue stream – CBS News


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    Automakers, including General Motors, Ford and BMW, are charging drivers subscription fees to use certain state-of-the-art features, such as remote locking and hands-free cruise control. Carter Evans has details.

    Be the first to know

    Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.


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  • UAW begins drive to unionize workers at Tesla, Toyota and other non-unionized automakers

    UAW begins drive to unionize workers at Tesla, Toyota and other non-unionized automakers

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    The United Auto Workers union said its next target is to unionize factory workers at Lucid, Rivian, Tesla and 10 foreign automakers, a move that comes after it garnered new employment contracts from Detroit’s Big Three automakers.

    BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Mazda, Mercedes, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo are based overseas but all have manufacturing operations in the U.S. Because these companies have brought in billions of dollars in profit over the past decade, their hourly factory workers deserve to make more money, UAW President Shawn Fain said in a video Wednesday.

    Also on the union’s list are U.S. factories run by electric vehicle sales leader Tesla, as well as EV startups Rivian and Lucid. All three are U.S.-based companies.

    “To all the autoworkers out there working without the benefits of a union, now it’s your turn,” he said, urging autoworkers to join the UAW’s membership drive campaign.

    Tesla and other dozen automakers targeted by the UAW have long used non-unionized workers at their plants. The UAW said its drive will focus largely on factories in the South, where the union has had little success in recruiting new members. Currently, the UAW has about 146,000 members.

    Still, Fain said thousands of non-unionized workers have contacted the UAW and asked to join the organization ever since the union ratified pay raises for employees at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis (the parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram). 

    The union said that Toyota’s 7,800-worker assembly complex in Georgetown, Kentucky, is among factories with the strongest interest in the union. A Toyota spokesman declined to comment.

    The organizing drive comes after a six-week series of strikes at factories run by Ford, General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis that ended with new contracts. Under the contracts, top assembly plant worker pay will rise 33% by the time the deals expire in April of 2028. 

    The new contracts also ended some lower tiers of wages, gave raises to temporary workers and shortened the time it takes for full-time workers to get to the top of the pay scale.

    —With reporting by the Associated Press.

    Khristopher J. Brooks

    Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch. He previously worked as a reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, Newsday and the Florida Times-Union. His reporting primarily focuses on the U.S. housing market, the business of sports and bankruptcy.

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  • Honda recalls more than 300,000 Accords and HR-Vs over missing seat belt piece

    Honda recalls more than 300,000 Accords and HR-Vs over missing seat belt piece

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    Honda is recalling several hundred thousand 2023-2024 Accord and HR-V vehicles due to a missing piece in the front seat belt pretensioners, which could increase injury risks during a crash.

    According to notices published by Honda and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration earlier this week, the pretensioners — which tighten seat belts in place upon impact — may be missing the rivet that secures the quick connector and wire plate. This means that passengers may not be properly restrained in a crash, regulators said.

    The NHSTA credited the issue to an error made during assembly. More than 300,000 Accords and HR-Vs are potentially affected.

    Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt pretensioner assemblies as necessary, free of charge, the NHTSA said in its notice.

    As of Nov. 16, Honda had received seven warranty claims, but no reports of injuries or deaths related to the faulty pretensioners, according to documents published by the NHTSA.

    Those who have already paid for these repairs at their own expense may also be eligible for reimbursement.

    Notification letters will are set to be sent via mail to registered owners of the affected vehicles starting Jan. 8, 2024. For more information about the recall, consumers can visit the NHTSA and Honda’s and online recall pages.

    Earlier this month, Honda recalled almost 250,000 vehicles in the U.S. because their bearings can fail, causing the engines to stall and increasing the risk of a crash. The company said in documents they had 1,450 warranty claims due to the problem, but no reports of injuries.

    In June, Honda recalled nearly 1.2 million cars because the rearview camera images may not appear on the dashboard screen. 

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  • Honda Recalls Almost 250,000 Vehicles For Possible Engine Issues

    Honda Recalls Almost 250,000 Vehicles For Possible Engine Issues

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    Honda is warning customers about engine issues in several of their vehicle models. According to AP News, the manufacturer has recalled nearly 250,000 vehicles.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shared documents about the recall on Friday (Nov. 17). Honda revealed that the mechanical issue involved the connecting rod bearings.

    Honda Explains Reason For Vehicles’ Recall

    The bearings can “wear and seize” due to how they were manufactured. If that happens, engine damage can occur. The damaged engines could “run improperly or stall while driving, increasing the risk of a fire, crash, or injury,” per the statement.

    At this time, Honda says they’ve received no reports of injuries from the manufacturing error. However, per AP, drivers have filed 1,450 warranty claims about the problem.

    The following models are the ones affected by the recall: ACURA/MDX/2016-2020, ACURA/TLX/2015-2020, HONDA/ODYSSEY/2018-2019, HONDA/PILOT/2016, 2018-2019 and HONDA/RIDGELINE/2017, 2019. Those models include pickup trucks, minivans, SUVs, and cars.

    The manufacturer submitted their recall report on Nov. 13, per the two-page document from NHTSA.

    As for what’s next, Honda reportedly plans to notify its vehicle owners by mail starting on Jan. 2. In the meantime, dealers will repair or replace impacted engines free of charge.

    Customers can call Honda customer service at 888-234-2138 for more questions about this recall. 

    Toyota Recently Recalled Over One Million Vehicles

    Honda’s notification comes shortly after Toyota issued a similar recall notice for 1.8 million vehicles. Their recall was due to “a fire risk from some replacement batteries.” As previously reported, the affected batteries weren’t the “correct dimensions.” The battery could spark a fire if it shakes loose while in use.

    In September, Kia and Hyundai faced a similar vehicle recall. However, the number of affected vehicles in their case exceeds three million. Their malfunction involved fluid leakage from the anti-locking braking system — which can cause a fire. The recall was a high priority due to the possible leakage while the car was in motion or stationary.

    RELATED: Salem Hospital In Massachusetts Reveals Nearly 450 Patients May Have Been Exposed To HIV & Hepatitis

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    Cassandra S

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  • Honda joins Toyota in raising U.S. wages for its auto workers as unionization push looms

    Honda joins Toyota in raising U.S. wages for its auto workers as unionization push looms

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    Honda Motor Co.’s U.S. unit joined other foreign carmakers in raising their automobile workers’ wages in the wake of historic wins for the United Auto Workers and as the union has vowed to intensify its organizing push.

    Honda
    7267,
    -4.11%
    gave U.S. production workers an 11% raise that will go into effect in January. Honda also cut down the time to reach a top wage from six years to three years, and added benefits, the company said Friday.

    The Wall Street Journal on Friday first reported the raises, citing a memo it had reviewed.

    UAW President Shawn Fain has said numerous times the union wants to expand its base into the nonunionized automobile workforce beyond the Midwest.

    At an address to UAW members in mid-October, for instance, Fain said that the UAW was “going to organize non-union auto companies like we’ve never organized before.”

    Don’t miss: Ford and GM inventories rise despite UAW strike, but demand concerns linger

    U.S. auto workers at foreign carmakers such as Honda and Volkswagen AG
    VOW,
    -1.12%    ,
    which have their major factories in the Southeast, are not unionized. Neither are auto workers at Tesla Inc.
    TSLA,
    +2.22%    ,
    which has car-making factories in California and Texas.

    Auto workers went on strike for six weeks starting in mid-September, hitting several factories and facilities of Ford Motor Co.
    F,
    +1.65%    ,
    General Motors Co.
    GM,
    +0.75%
    and Stellantis NV
    STLA,
    +1.57%    .

    The labor action, which the UAW dubbed a “stand-up strike,” called on select local unions to stand up and walk out. It marked a break from tradition: Going back decades, the UAW would strike at one company at a time, mostly to save its picket-line firepower and strike fund.

    Related: There’s a new Tesla bear in town: EV maker is a ‘very expensive company,’ HSBC says

    The new strategy yielded big results, including pay raises of around 25% over the life of the four-year contract plus cost-of-living adjustments, the end of several wage tiers, and better retirement benefits.

    At an event Thursday to celebrate the UAW deal and the reopening of a Stellantis factory in Illinois, President Joe Biden seemed to support the UAW’s unionization push.

    “I want this type of contract for all auto workers,” Biden said. “And I have a feeling UAW has a plan for that.”

    During the UAW strike, some Wall Street analysts said that Tesla would benefit from the increased costs to unionized factories following the labor agreements. One analyst noted that even before any wage increases, the Big Three automakers were paying their workers 38% more than comparable Tesla workers earned.

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  • Major automakers to build new nationwide electric vehicle charging network

    Major automakers to build new nationwide electric vehicle charging network

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    Seven of the world’s largest automakers said Wednesday that they’re working together to build a new nationwide network of 30,000 electric vehicle charging stations, an effort to stoke already growing consumer demand for EVs.

    BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes and Stellantis said the first batch of their “high-powered charging” stations will be available next summer. EV owners have long complained about a shortage of places to charge their vehicle. The automakers said they hope the stations will “make zero-emission driving even more attractive for millions of customers.”

    The charging system would be public and open to all electric vehicle owners and have connectors for both Tesla’s North American Charging Standard plugs as well as the Combined Charging System plugs used by other automakers.

    Motorists remain concerned about finding a charging station, while also having question about electric cars’ range and how long it takes to reach full power, auto industry experts have told CBS MoneyWatch. Automakers will need to pay as much attention to adding chargers as they have to lowering prices, Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights at Edmunds, said this week.

    The car manufacturers wouldn’t disclose financial details of the network or how long it will take to build all 30,000 stations. Automakers told the Associated Press that they will “work as equals to ensure the success of the joint venture.” 

    There are currently just under 8,700 direct-current, fast-charging stations in the U.S. and Canada, with nearly 36,000 charging plugs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Tesla, by far the market leader ins EVs, accounts for 2,050 of the stations across the U.S. and Canada. The new network is expected to have 10 to 20 charging plugs per station.


    Experts worry about heavy electric vehicles’ safety

    02:32

    The network is likely to boost electric vehicle sales in North America by helping ease drive concerns about long-distance travel, said Stephanie Brinley, an analyst with S&P Global Mobility.

    “It’s stopping them from even exploring what EV life is like,” she said. The announcement of the network “is giving them confidence that this is going to work out.”

    Bloomberg News Detroit Bureau Chief David Welch told CBS News that the automakers’ goals of selling more EVs are directly tied to how many chargers are available for drivers. 

    “The car companies have realized that if they’re going to get people to buy EVs, they really have to build up a network of chargers very aggressively, especially on the highways,” he said. “The big holdup for everyone buying an EV is they’re afraid they’ll be out on a road trip and they’ll run out of juice and be strained somewhere.”

    In their statement, the automakers said they would use renewable energy as much as possible to power the chargers, and they will be in convenient locations with canopies and amenities such as restrooms, food service and stores.

    In the U.S., consumers bought 557,000 electric cars in the first half of the year, accounting for 7.2% of all new vehicle sales. Most industry analysts predict continued growth in EV sales for the next decade or more.

    —The Associated Press contributed to this report.

    Khristopher J. Brooks

    Khristopher J. Brooks is a reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering business, consumer and financial stories that range from economic inequality and housing issues to bankruptcies and the business of sports.

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  • Honda recalls nearly 1.2 million cars over faulty backup camera

    Honda recalls nearly 1.2 million cars over faulty backup camera

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    Honda recalls 1.2 million minivans, SUVs


    Honda recalls 1.2 million minivans, SUVs

    00:31

    Honda is recalling nearly 1.2 million cars because the rearview camera images may not appear on the dashboard screen. 

    The recall includes Passport SUVs from 2019 to 2023, in addition to Pilot SUVs from 2019 to 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on June 15. It also covers some Odyssey minivans from 2018 to 2023.

    An “improperly manufactured” coaxial cable connector was the cause of the connectivity issues between the rearview camera images and the vehicles’ dashboard displays, Honda said in a Friday recall notice. 

    “If the [Media Oriented Systems Transport] communication is lost for more than 20 seconds, the rearview camera function will fail when the vehicle is in the reverse gear, increasing the risk of a crash or injury,” Honda said in the recall notice. 

    Dealers will replace the cable harness and install a straightening cover over the vehicle cable connector free of charge, the carmaker said. Car owners who have already paid to repair their vehicles at their own expense are eligible for reimbursement.

    Honda expects to mail notification letters to affected car owners on July 24. Until then, customers can contact Honda’s customer service line at 1-888-234-2138. The NHTSA said Honda’s numbers for the recall are EEL and ZEM. 

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