A headlight and emblem on a Honda Civic.

By Chris Spiker From Daily Voice

More than 400,000 Honda cars are being recalled because their wheels can fall off while driving.

Honda issued the recall for about 406,290 Honda Civic cars, according to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notice on Friday, Oct. 31. The recall impacts Civics from the model years 2016 through 2021.

A manufacturing error can cause certain 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels to loosen and separate from the vehicle. The defect occurred when steel lug seat inserts weren't pressed into the nut seating surface during production, and the surface can deform over time without the inserts.

The defect was traced to a supplier factory in Italy, where a separation fence was removed during the installation of new equipment. That change allowed unfinished wheels to be mistakenly shipped as finished products, skipping the final inspection process.

Honda said there have been no reports of crashes, injuries, or deaths related to the issue in the US as of Thursday, Oct. 23. The factory responsible for the defective wheels closed its manufacturing operations in 2023.

Dealers will inspect and replace the hubs and wheels as needed for free, according to the recall notice. Notification letters are expected to begin mailing on Monday, Dec. 8.

You can learn more about the recall on the NHTSA's website or by calling Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.