When car wheels start acting like they might fall off, that’s definitely not the kind of surprise anyone wants while driving down the highway. Honda has announced a massive recall affecting over 406,000 Civic vehicles from 2016 to 2021, all because of a sneaky wheel problem that could literally send wheels rolling away from cars. This recall will impact the company’s retained earnings due to the associated repair costs and potential reputation effects.
The issue involves specific 18-inch aluminum-alloy accessory wheels that have a manufacturing defect. Think of it like a puzzle piece that wasn’t put together quite right. Steel lug seat inserts weren’t pressed properly into the wheel’s nut seating surface during manufacturing. This means the lug nuts that hold wheels onto cars can gradually loosen over time, kind of like how a loose tooth eventually falls out.
Steel lug seat inserts weren’t pressed properly during manufacturing, causing wheel nuts to gradually loosen like a loose tooth.
What makes this particularly *surprisingly* is that drivers might not notice anything wrong until it’s too late. The wheels could detach while driving, which obviously creates serious risks for crashes and injuries. Nobody wants their wheel deciding to take a solo adventure down the road.
Honda began mailing notices to affected owners on December 8, 2025. This Civic recall represents one of Honda’s largest in recent years, highlighting the scope of the safety concern. Owners can check if their car is involved by visiting Honda’s website or the NHTSA portal using campaign numbers 25E071 and MMZ. They can also call Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138 for help.
The good news is that Honda will fix everything for free. Dealers will inspect the wheels and replace both hubs and wheels if needed. *Curiously*, while hundreds of thousands of vehicles are being recalled, Honda’s data shows only about 3,276 wheels are actually faulty. It’s like checking every apple in the orchard because a few might be bad. Fortunately, no accidents or injuries have been reported in connection with this defect.
This recall covers both Civic sedans and hatchbacks, but only those with the specific accessory wheels installed. Honda expects most vehicles won’t need replacement wheels, but they’re being extra careful to prevent any dangerous situations. The company wants to make sure everyone’s wheels stay exactly where they belong – attached to their cars.
