NHTSA opens probe into more than 2 million Honda vehicles over engine restarting concerns

[dkryan]

Apparently Honda became aware of the problem in January 2023 and used “countermeasures” which, as it turns out, did not solve the Auto Idle Stop function problem.

Note the probe is looking at both the Ridgeline and Pilot, but isn’t limited to those models.

 

[fantastic]

Start/Stop tech leaves more odds of this "failure to re-start" to happen. I wonder what the they'll do to repair it. Thanks for posting.

 

[dkryan]

Wait! I’m trying a new link!

 

[dkryan]

Mods: you may have to drop my post as the direct link to Reuters allows access, but it’s got unrelated political content on that site.

Sorry!

 

[dkryan]

Let’s see if this link is acceptable:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/nhtsa-opens-probe-over-2-092321230.html

 

[KGMtech]

Stop start has to be the most dangerous feature to add for the miniscule amount of fuel it saves when the extra costs & risks are all considered

 

[brages]

We have my mom's 2016 Pilot and it has had this issue a couple of times. Hasn't happened to me, but basically, you try to go and the engine fails to start, and now you're in gear with a dead engine, so you have to remember to put it in park, then try to restart. Very stressful according to those it happened to.

I think my mom did have the experience where a jump start or new battery was required after it didn't start. I'm not sure though.

 

[Astro14]

Mods: you may have to drop my post as the direct link to Reuters allows access, but it’s got unrelated political content on that site.

Sorry!

Nah, you’re good now. Thanks for updating the link.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Stop start has to be the most dangerous feature to add for the miniscule amount of fuel it saves when the extra costs & risks are all considered

Ehm...not really

 

[KrisZ]

But, but this tech has been used for decades now...

 

[KrisZ]

Ehm...not really

I've had two rentals now that had a very noticeable delay with the start/stop where it could cause a dangerous situation. Ironically both were in EU where start/stop has been used the longest.

 

[JTK]

I've had two rentals now that had a very noticeable delay with the start/stop where it could cause a dangerous situation. Ironically both were in EU where start/stop has been used the longest.

If you figure all the inputs and conditions that have to be met for a seamless auto start to happen, between the time you lift your foot off the brake pedal and touch the accelerator pedal. The system adds more potential for failures to occur. A/S/S is another one of those subjective things. I personally don't care for it at all.

 

[JHZR2]

Stop start has to be the most dangerous feature to add for the miniscule amount of fuel it saves when the extra costs & risks are all considered

What mathematical evidence do you have to justify “most dangerous” and “risks”… or even “extra costs”?

I get it you may have gut feel issues.

But without objective basis that for properly maintained vehicles, there is a real basis of risk, this seems like imagination.

Again, I get gut feel issues. I get it that it seems weird. I get it that you might have a split second delay. Quantifying that this makes risk seems dubious. If the insurance industry speculated that this was the case, they would be characterizing the risk and either lobbying against the feature or charging for it.

 

[KGMtech]

What mathematical evidence do you have to justify “most dangerous” and “risks”… or even “extra costs”?

I get it you may have gut feel issues.

But without objective basis that for properly maintained vehicles, there is a real basis of risk, this seems like imagination.

Again, I get gut feel issues. I get it that it seems weird. I get it that you might have a split second delay. Quantifying that this makes risk seems dubious. If the insurance industry speculated that this was the case, they would be characterizing the risk and either lobbying against the feature or charging for it.

I watched Engineering Explained's video on stop start, and learned that all SS systems do save fuel on the urban cycle. Not much, but it does work. However, there is usually a separate battery to supply SS needs and a heavier duty starter for same.

Let's fast forward 5-7 years when the OEM warranty is gone and your SS car needs that specific battery replaced? does it retail at Walmart for $ 67.99 ? not a chance. Does the fuel savings over 7 years pay for the new 'specific category' battery? not a chance. Does the environmental benefit of not running the engine for all those stops offset the impact of making a replacement battery ? I have doubts.

And lastly, and more important to the owner, does the SS fail in a safe predictable manner with no adverse running characteristic that would impede safe operation from a stop? This is why I feel the risks and total costs exceed the justification for the OWNER, but the OEM gets to brag about the fuel savings. All unscientific, Canadian Gut Feelings.

 

[Zee09]

I like how my new Mitsubishi sport doesn't even have the option..no stop/start...

 

[Jetronic]

I watched Engineering Explained's video on stop start, and learned that all SS systems do save fuel on the urban cycle. Not much, but it does work. However, there is usually a separate battery to supply SS needs and a heavier duty starter for same.

Let's fast forward 5-7 years when the OEM warranty is gone and your SS car needs that specific battery replaced? does it retail at Walmart for $ 67.99 ? not a chance. Does the fuel savings over 7 years pay for the new 'specific category' battery? not a chance. Does the environmental benefit of not running the engine for all those stops offset the impact of making a replacement battery ? I have doubts.

And lastly, and more important to the owner, does the SS fail in a safe predictable manner with no adverse running characteristic that would impede safe operation from a stop? This is why I feel the risks and total costs exceed the justification for the OWNER, but the OEM gets to brag about the fuel savings. All unscientific, Canadian Gut Feelings.

I would say the S/S extra battery is actually rare, but the main battery is often an AGM.

 

[odie]

Both the '25 Souls have it . Don't mind it . The '07 Prius had it . Much more smoother transition than the SOULs'.

 

[Exhaustgases]

The way I see it. When just doing a normal stop at a light or sign to do a right hand turn around here, people behind you will almost rear end you. Almost no one will come to a complete stop to turn right. If there is a LE watching you will get a ticket if you don't stop.
I can imagine the road rage that a non starting, stop start, car can cause if it won't start, as its bad enough if you drive a clutch and kill it.