Certain 2025 Acura RDX vehicles may have a problem with the electric power steering (EPS) system software. The software may not be properly calibrated, which can cause the EPS system to enter fail-safe mode and result in a sudden loss of power steering assist.
This issue can make steering more difficult, especially at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
What Causes the Power Steering Problem
During the development of the 2025 Acura RDX EPS software to meet California Idle Stop OBD requirements, Honda’s Tier 2 supplier mistakenly set the EPS target returnability Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) gain to an incorrect value.
This mis-calibration can trigger the problem under specific conditions:
- When the driver makes a sharp steering input during a turn
- When IDS is in Comfort mode
- When the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) is active
In these scenarios, the EPS target returnability output may exceed the system’s safety threshold, causing the system to falsely detect a fault and enter fail-safe mode—cutting off power steering assist.
Timeline of Discovery
- October 2024: Honda received the first complaint and began investigating.
- March 2025: Investigation efforts continued with further analysis.
- May 29, 2025: A dealership review revealed that the customer’s driving mode could be a factor.
- July 2025: Honda and its supplier continued in-depth testing and analysis.
- August 19, 2025: Honda determined the issue could present a safety risk.
- August 28, 2025: Honda confirmed a safety defect and announced a recall.
Between August 2024 and August 2025, Honda received 84 warranty claims related to the issue but reported no injuries or deaths.
The Fix
Honda dealers will reprogram the EPS software on affected Acura RDX vehicles.
- Owner notification letters will be mailed starting October 20, 2025.
- Honda Recall Number: GMS
- NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V-582
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into certain Acura and Honda vehicles due to reports of failing connecting rod bearings. This issue affects model year 2018-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016-2020 Honda Pilot, 2018-2019 Honda Odyssey, and 2017-2019 Honda Ridgeline vehicles equipped with the 3.5 liter V6 engine.