Honda, Acura Recall 628K Vehicles for Defective Fuel Pumps

Honda recall fuel pump will always be a remarkable event taking place at the beginning of last year when more than 600,000 vehicle models of all types received urgent recall notices as the low-pressure fuel pump inside their fuel tank is at risk of being damaged. Without any warning, this recall spread too quickly and urgently to minimize the possible bad cases on a large scale.

Breaking Down The Honda Recall Fuel Pump Issue

About the causes of this recall, Honda released a list of affected models with a faulty fuel supply system and further explained. The fuel pump problems of vehicles, such as fuel impellers with low surface hardness or being chemically dried for a long time during production, can lead to cracking on the top surface of the pump blades. It also leads to more fuel permeation in the impeller and possible deformation. In some cases, the impeller can deform to the point of hitting the pump body, causing the fuel pump to fail and halting the entire system.

Fuel pumps not working due to the above reasons can cause the flashing of error lights and warning information on the dashboard, the engine shaking, and trouble starting or stalling while running at low speed. However, in a few cases, the car can also stall when running at high speed, increasing the risk of a collision.

Honda also stated the error related to the fuel pump installed in the vehicles containing faulty impellers. Over time, the pump would crack, and deform, causing the engine to fail to start or stall. Yet, until now, no incidents related to these fuel pump failures have been recorded in the international industry. During this period, most vehicles under the impact of the Honda recall may have been at the center to check and replace the faulty pump if necessary. However, if you own a Honda and still don’t get the details of this large-scale recall, you can check out some information below.

The Honda fuel pump recall 2021 will apply to the following models:

2018 2019 2020
Honda CR-V Honda CR-V
Honda HR-V
Honda Civic Hatchback Honda Civic Hatchback
Honda Civic Coupe, Coupe Si
Honda Civic Type R
Honda Civic Sedan, Sedan Si 
Honda Accord Honda Accord
Honda Accord Hybrid
Honda Odyssey
Honda Passport
Honda Pilot
Honda Ridgeline
Honda Insight Honda Insight
Honda Fit
Acura ILX
Acura MDX Sport Hybrid Acura MDX Sport Hybrid
Acura RDX Acura RDX
Acura TLX Acura TLX
  • Recalling issue: Faulty fuel pump can cause the engine not starting or stall while driving, increasing the risk of hazards.
  • Solutions: According to Honda, the replacement will be made when the spare parts are available. Spare parts and related costs will be free of charge.
  • Contact the manufacturer: Vehicle owners can contact Honda customer service at 888-234-2138 or the Honda recall hotline: (800) 999-1009
  • NHTSA campaign number: 21V215000 (an extension of the 20V314 recall.

To be more proactive in taking your vehicle to a recall, in addition to communicating with the local or city Honda center, you can check your car’s 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN) on the NHTSA website. The NHTSA website will let you know if your vehicle has any open recalls that need to be addressed.

honda fuel pump recall
By checking the code on the website, you will have access to a legit, fast, and convenient source of information. (Photo: NHTSA)

With the Honda fuel pump recall VIN check, if you add a VIN to the NHTSA website and the recall does not appear, it means that your vehicle does not currently have any open recalls. Because automakers issue recalls frequently, and for many older vehicles, we recommend you check to see if your vehicle has been recalled.

Signs To Notice When The Fuel Pump System Has Problems

After you have a clear understanding of the requirements and notices of a large recall from Honda, you may also have a better understanding of the importance of the fuel pump or fuel supply system in a car. A car part that only needed the manufacturer to discover the problem within a short time urged a large-scale recall around the world. Since the function of this system is irreplaceable, as a dedicated and responsible vehicle owner, you need to pay attention and be mindful if it encounters any problems to have it checked and searched in time. Not only models from Honda, but all fuel-powered vehicles also need careful attention to avoid unforeseen dangers.

Overall, any car fuel pump system will be considered durable. However, except for the manufacturer’s fault, the fuel pump can malfunction due to dirt, wear and tear, or overload after a long time of use. If the fuel pump fails, the injecting fuel process to the injectors into the cylinder chamber also malfunctions, leading to faulty combustion of the gas and fuel mixture, affecting engine power.

  • An explosion occurs outside the engine.

An explosion outside the engine is when the combustion process does not take place inside the cylinder but outside the vehicle’s engine or can be right in the exhaust pipe. When this type of explosion occurs, sparks will appear at the top of the exhaust pipe. The cause of this phenomenon is the fuel filter is clogged after a period of use, forcing the fuel to be pumped into the engine system unevenly, affecting the engine performance.

  • The fuel pump overheated.

Derived from the fact that the fuel level in the tank is too low and this condition is maintained regularly, the fuel pump must operate continuously, while the cooling system does not work efficiently, causing the fuel pump to overheat, leading to damage.

  • The engine sound is uneven with the jerking phenomenon.

When you start the engine, it will gradually heat up, but the engine sound is uneven and accompanied by jerking and possibly shutting down. This case occurs when the amount of fuel injected into the combustion chamber is not enough, which will cause pressure inside the combustion chamber and create very annoying knocking sounds.

  • The car stalled suddenly.

Have you ever encountered a situation when the car operates on the road, then the engine suddenly stops? After stopping for a while, it can work as usual. The cause of this phenomenon is that the fuel pump is too dirty, causing insufficient fuel pressure inside the combustion chamber, making the car engine unstable.

  • The fuel pump weakens after operating time.

In case gasoline pressure is weak, it is a sign that the fuel pump has weakened after a period of operation. It must be replaced or repaired after you figure it out.

  • The car does not start, the engine does not start, or the engine starts but the car cannot run.

When the car has the above phenomena, the fuel pump may be blocked, limiting the amount of gasoline passing through the pump and not providing enough fuel for the engine to work.

  • No noise inside the fuel tank when the car started.

When turning the car lock to ON, listen to the noise coming from the fuel tank area. If there is some noise, the fuel pump works normally. When there is no noise, you should check the fuel pump immediately.

  • The pump is contaminated after use.

After a long time of use, the fuel pump is likely to be contaminated, causing the fuel pressure to decrease due to dirt sticking to the pump.

  • Unusual fuel consumption.

When the vehicle consumes fuel abnormally, the reason may be that the fuel filter is clogged, then the amount of fuel supplied to the combustion chamber will be uneven. Sometimes there is too much fuel, causing it to burn and then be discharged outside through the exhaust pipe.

How To Check Car Fuel Pump Quickly

You can refer to some ways to check the car fuel pump system that you can easily do at home.

  • Fuel pump pressure gauge

The best way to check for fuel pump failure is to check the fuel pump pressure. There is a waiting gate in the engine compartment of the car. Check and install a fuel pump pressure gauge into this gate. If the fuel pressure is lower than standard, the fuel pump is probably faulty, or the fuel piping system has a problem.

Normal car fuel pump pressure is from 2.5 to 3.5 kg/cm2. However, the number may also be different for each fuel pump, such as the fuel pump placed in the tank (with or without a pressure regulator valve), the relay pump on the pipeline, etc.

  • Check the noise from the fuel tank.

When the fuel pump is functioning, there will usually be noise. If you turn the engine on, place your ear on the fuel tank area but don’t hear any noise, the fuel pump is likely not working.

  • Check by removing the fuel hose.

Another way to check your car’s fuel pump is to remove the fuel line. First, turn off the ignition to OFF, remove the fuel hose and then turn the mode lock ON. If the gasoline spills out of the pipeline, the car’s fuel pump is still working.

honda recalls fuel pump
This is only a method for those with a lot of knowledge and experience in repairing cars. (Photo: Auto Master X)
  • Try injecting gasoline directly into the air intake.

Another way to check is to use a device to inject fuel directly into the air intake before the throttle. At the same time, start the car engine. If the engine can start up, the fuel pump is likely faulty.

  • Replace car fuel pump

If the pump is too dirty, clean the car fuel pump. If the pump is damaged, replace the fuel pump with a new one. The price of a car fuel pump varies depending on the make, brand, and car model. However, car fuel pump price usually ranges from $90 to $300 per set.

Above are some signs you need to pay attention to when the fuel pump system has problems and a few simple ways to check. We hope these extra pieces of information will be helpful and give you some better insight.

Summing Up On The Honda Fuel Pump Recall

Not only the Honda recall fuel pump, but all large-scale recalls from car brands so far can be seen as a wake-up call and urge for special attention from car owners. As you can see, even reputable professional car manufacturers can make mistakes and be forced to recall hundreds of thousands, even millions of cars that have been sold for seemingly insignificant errors, costing a big budget. Let alone is you, who can make thousands of mistakes during the car life service while unintentionally not giving it enough care, or not even have to say unmindful.

So if you want to be a more attentive and dedicated car owner, update worldwide auto industry news every day for unfortunate-but on-time upcoming car recalls and have your vehicle occasionally inspected.