Honda is recalling 880,514 vehicles because their rear subframes can rust through at the exact points where the suspension bolts on, a defect that can let a rear wheel come loose from the car while it’s being driven. The recall, filed with NHTSA as campaign number 26V365, covers the 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Honda Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Honda Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX. Source: NHTSA recall filing.

What’s actually failing

Per Honda’s own filing with regulators, the rear subframe on affected vehicles was manufactured with an inadequate protective coating, letting corrosion set in years earlier than it should at the suspension mounting points. Honda’s language is blunt: “the rear subframe can corrode where it is mounted to the suspension, causing it to fail,” as reported by KIRO 7 News, the Cox Media Group ABC affiliate in Seattle.

Why the subframe matters

The subframe is a structural cradle bolted to the underside of the unibody that carries the rear control arms, lower arms, and often the differential on all-wheel-drive models. It’s not a cosmetic panel. It’s the thing that keeps the rear wheels pointed the right direction and attached to the car under load. NHTSA’s filing spells out the consequence in plain terms: if a mounting point corrodes through and fails, “the rear wheel(s) may become misaligned or inadequately retained, which could adversely affect vehicle handling, stability, and braking performance.” In the worst case, that’s a wheel separating from the vehicle at speed.

Key Points

• 880,514 vehicles are potentially affected; Honda estimates roughly 1% actually carry the defect based on inspections so far.
• The recall is geographically targeted to the 22 states plus Washington, D.C. that use road salt heavily in winter, including New York, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New England, since salt exposure accelerates the corrosion.
• Dealer notifications began June 5, 2026, with owner letters mailed starting in July.
• The fix is free: dealers inspect the rear subframe and install a reinforcement kit with a better anti-corrosion coating, repairing or replacing the subframe outright if damage is already present.

If you own one of these models and live anywhere winters mean salted roads, this is worth acting on even before your notification letter arrives. Owners can check recall status right now using their VIN at NHTSA.gov, or call Honda directly at 888-234-2138 and reference recall codes AOU or AOT. A subframe inspection takes a fraction of the time a suspension failure at highway speed would cost you, and it’s not coming out of your pocket.