Honda Brake Pedal Recall: Affected Vehicles, Safety Issue, and What Owners Should Know

Honda recalled 259,033 vehicles under NHTSA Campaign No. 25V391 after finding that a brake pedal pivot pin may not have been staked (secured) properly during manufacturing, which can let the pedal shift sideways and cause unintended braking or reduced stopping power. The recall covers the 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX. Dealers inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake pedal assembly at no cost, and Honda estimates only about 1% of recalled vehicles — roughly 2,600 — actually have the defect. Here’s how to check your VIN and what to expect if your vehicle is affected.

What Is the Honda Brake Pedal Recall?

Under NHTSA Campaign No. 25V391, Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling 259,033 vehicles: the 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX.

The defect traces back to Honda’s brake-pedal supplier, Otsuka Koki Co., which was transitioning production from a U.S. plant to a new facility in Mexico in 2024. Newly hired staff weren’t fully trained on staking — the step where the end of the pivot pin is flattened or crimped after installation so it can’t work loose, similar to how a cotter pin is bent open to lock a nut in place — and a QR-code scan meant to catch missed steps wasn’t functioning. Unstaked pins reached assembly as a result. A pin that isn’t staked can let the pedal shift laterally, which may cause unintended brake application or make it harder to slow or stop the vehicle. [VERIFY: root-cause detail against Honda’s most recent public statements]

Honda says only about 1% of the recalled vehicles — roughly 2,600 — actually have the defect, based on three warranty claims and no reported injuries as of June 2025.

Dealers inspect the brake pedal assembly and replace it if necessary, at no cost. Honda began mailing owner notification letters on July 28, 2025. You can check recall status any time by entering your VIN at recalls.honda.com or recalls.acura.com, or by searching campaign 25V391 directly at NHTSA.gov.

Which Honda and Acura Models Are Affected?

Affected vehicles break down by model as follows:

• 2023-2025 Honda Pilot — 184,253 units, built Dec. 16, 2022 – Nov. 6, 2024
• 2023-2025 Acura MDX — 67,448 units, built May 3, 2023 – Nov. 13, 2024
• 2021-2025 Acura TLX — 7,332 units, built Oct. 23, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2025

Not every vehicle in these date ranges has the defect — production dates mark the outer window Honda used to identify potentially affected parts, based on supplier and manufacturing records.

Owners can verify their specific vehicle’s status by entering their VIN at recalls.honda.com or recalls.acura.com.

What Are the Warning Signs?

Watch for:

• An illuminated brake warning light on the dashboard
• A brake pedal that feels loose, shifts side to side, or sits at an odd angle
• Soft, slow, or inconsistent brake response
• Brake lights staying on even when the pedal isn’t pressed
• Unusual noise when braking

NHTSA has not issued a “do not drive” advisory for this recall, and Honda’s own filing reports no injuries linked to the defect as of June 2025. If your vehicle shows none of the symptoms above, it’s fine to keep driving normally while you schedule an inspection. If you notice any of them, contact your dealer promptly and mention recall 25V391.

How Do You Check Your VIN?

Whether or not you’ve noticed symptoms, the fastest way to confirm your vehicle is included is to look up its VIN:

1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver’s-side dashboard (visible through the windshield) or on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame.
2. Enter it at recalls.honda.com or recalls.acura.com, or search it directly against NHTSA Campaign 25V391 at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
3. If you’d rather not search online, call Honda customer service at (888) 234-2138 and they can check for you.

Entering the VIN accurately matters — a single mistyped character will return incorrect results.

When Will Repairs Be Available?

Repairs are available now through authorized Honda and Acura dealers — inspection and, if needed, brake pedal assembly replacement, at no cost. Honda began mailing owner notification letters on July 28, 2025; if you haven’t received one but your VIN comes back affected, you don’t need to wait for the letter to schedule service.

If you already paid out of pocket for a repair related to this issue before the recall was announced, you may be eligible for reimbursement under Honda’s recall reimbursement plan — ask your dealer or call (888) 234-2138 to start that process. [VERIFY: current reimbursement claim process/deadline]

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Honda Models Are Currently Under Recall?

Under recall campaign 25V391, the affected models are the 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, and 2021-2025 Acura TLX. Not every vehicle in those model years is affected — check your specific VIN at recalls.honda.com or recalls.acura.com to confirm.

What Hondas Are Being Recalled for Brake Problems?

The 2023-2025 Honda Pilot is the only Honda-badged model in this recall; the Acura MDX and Acura TLX are affected under the same campaign because they share the same supplier-made brake pedal assembly. The defect is a pivot pin that wasn’t staked (secured) during manufacturing.

Who Pays for Honda Recall Repairs?

Honda pays for the inspection and any needed brake pedal replacement — there’s no cost to the owner. If you already paid for a related repair before the recall was announced, ask your dealer about reimbursement.

Is It Safe to Drive an Affected Vehicle?

NHTSA has not issued a “do not drive” advisory for this recall, and Honda reports no injuries linked to the defect. If your brake pedal feels normal and your dashboard shows no brake warning light, it’s fine to keep driving while you schedule your free inspection. If you notice any of the warning signs above, have it checked promptly.

Conclusion

If you own a 2023-2025 Honda Pilot, 2023-2025 Acura MDX, or 2021-2025 Acura TLX, check your VIN at recalls.honda.com or recalls.acura.com (or search campaign 25V391 at NHTSA.gov) and watch for the warning signs above. The inspection and any needed repair are free, and Honda has been mailing notification letters since July 2025 — if yours hasn’t arrived yet, you don’t need to wait for it to book an appointment.