Honda recalls over 400,000 civics over dangerous wheel defect — Find out if your car is affected

Honda has announced a major recall affecting more than 400,000 Civic sedans after discovering a defect in their 18-inch alloy wheels that could cause them to detach while driving — posing a serious crash risk to drivers and other road users.

The automaker filed the recall with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on October 31, covering 406,290 vehicles manufactured between 2016 and 2021. The issue stems from an error during production that left some wheels without critical steel lug seat inserts — a small but essential part that ensures the wheel remains securely attached to the vehicle.

The root of the problem

According to Honda’s report, the manufacturing error occurred at a supplier’s factory in Italy, where a mix-up in production lines allowed unfinished alloy wheels to be stored and shipped as completed products. These defective wheels missed a crucial inspection process meant to confirm the lug seat inserts were properly pressed into place.

Without those inserts, the wheel’s seating surface can deform over time, causing the wheel nuts to gradually loosen. Under regular driving conditions, that could lead to a wheel detaching from the vehicle — a scenario that significantly increases the risk of a collision.

Honda traced the issue back to July 2024, when an inspection in Japan revealed missing inserts on a customer’s vehicle. Following an internal investigation, the company confirmed that U.S.-bound models could also be affected.

The wheels were installed on the following models:

• 2016 Honda Civic

  
  
  

• 2017 Honda Civic

• 2018 Honda Civic

• 2019 Honda Civic

• 2020 Honda Civic

• 2021 Honda Civic

  
  
  

What owners should do

Honda has begun notifying dealerships and will start contacting affected vehicle owners by December 8, 2025. Dealers have been instructed to inspect all four wheels and replace any defective parts — including the wheels, hubs, and nuts — at no cost to the owner.

The official recall number with NHTSA is 25E071, while Honda’s internal reference is MMZ.

To check if your vehicle is affected, you can visit the NHTSA recall database or use Honda’s official recall page. Car owners will need to enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) — the 17-character code located on the dashboard or registration papers — to verify if their car qualifies for inspection.

How big is the impact?

While more than 400,000 cars are being called in for inspection, Honda estimates that only around 3,200 vehicles might actually contain the faulty wheel design. The supplier responsible has since shut down its manufacturing department, but the incident highlights the importance of quality control in the global automotive supply chain.

Honda has assured customers that it is taking “comprehensive corrective actions” to prevent similar issues in future production.

FAQ

Q1: Which Honda models are affected by the recall?
A: The recall impacts select 2016–2021 Honda Civic models equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels.

Q2: What causes the wheels to detach?
A: Missing steel lug seat inserts in the alloy wheels may allow wheel nuts to loosen, leading to wheel separation.

Q3: What should I do if my car is affected?
A: Honda will notify owners by mail. Visit your local dealership for a free inspection and replacement if necessary.

Q4: Is it safe to drive my Honda Civic before inspection?
A: If you notice any vibration, wobbling, or unusual noise while driving, stop immediately and contact your Honda dealer.