Tag Archives: Honda

News

Honda Under NHTSA Investigation for Seatbelt and Airbag Issues Affecting Over Half a Million Vehicles

While much of the safety spotlight has been fixed on Tesla lately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is widening its gaze—and this time, Honda’s in the frame. The agency has opened two separate investigations covering a combined 583,000 vehicles, including the family-hauling Honda Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan.

The issues under review might sound like the stuff of small-print recalls, but they could have big implications for passenger safety—especially for families who depend on Honda’s reputation for reliability.

Seatbelt Confusion in the Pilot

The first probe targets the 2023–2024 Honda Pilot, and it centers on the SUV’s seatbelt reminder system. According to NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), the Pilot may incorrectly indicate that second- and third-row passengers are buckled up—or, worse, that they’re not.

That’s not just an annoyance for safety-conscious parents—it’s potentially dangerous. The third row in the Pilot isn’t exactly in the driver’s line of sight, so confirming that everyone’s properly strapped in already requires a bit of trust (or a lot of neck craning). With an inaccurate seatbelt warning system, a driver could be left constantly second-guessing whether the back seats are secure, or distractedly checking the display while on the move.

Only six official complaints have been logged so far, but given the nature of the issue, even a small number has prompted regulators to take a closer look.

Unwanted Airbag Deployments in the Odyssey

Then there’s the 2018–2022 Honda Odyssey, which has its own more dramatic concern. NHTSA has received 19 complaints alleging that the minivan’s side curtain and rear airbags can deploy when the vehicle hits a pothole or a harsh bump—no crash required.

As anyone who’s ever experienced an airbag deployment can attest, it’s not a gentle affair. The blast is loud, violent, and could easily cause injury—or at least startle the driver enough to cause a real collision afterward. One complaint has already triggered an early warning report tied to injury or death, though details remain unclear.

No Recall—Yet

To be clear, neither the Pilot nor the Odyssey has been recalled at this stage. But between 142,572 Pilots and 441,002 Odysseys potentially affected, Honda owners should keep an ear out for official updates.

The hope is that these problems turn out to be isolated incidents. But if NHTSA’s investigation points to a broader flaw, Honda will likely need to issue a recall and fix the systems quickly—before an incorrect seatbelt warning or an overzealous airbag turns an ordinary drive into something far more serious.

Source: NHTSA

News

JAS Motorsport and Pininfarina Are Building the Ultimate Honda NSX Restomod

When a company known for building race-winning touring cars decides to turn its attention to road-going legends, you pay attention. Italian motorsport specialist JAS Motorsport, long associated with Honda’s factory racing efforts, has announced its first road car project: a restomod Honda NSX designed in collaboration with none other than Pininfarina.

If that combination doesn’t get your pulse racing, check it again.

Faithful Form, Sharper Focus

Early teaser images show a car that reverently nods to the 1990 original—the everyday supercar that embarrassed Ferrari and forever changed how we think about mid-engine handling. The pop-up headlights remain, as does the subtle rear spoiler, but the stance is lower, meaner, and unmistakably modern.

The front light reflectors have been replaced by crisp LED daytime running lights, and a large hood duct evokes the hardcore NSX-R of the early 2000s. Around back, a deep rear diffuser echoes the same racer-for-the-road energy.

But the biggest change isn’t visual—it’s structural. The NSX was the world’s first production car with a full aluminum monocoque, but JAS is replacing that pioneering skin with a carbon-fiber body, promising both weight savings and rigidity gains. The restomod will be available in left- and right-hand-drive, signaling that JAS is courting both European and Japanese purists.

Naturally Aspirated Nostalgia

In an era when even Ferrari is hybridizing its icons, JAS is proudly keeping things naturally aspirated. Power will come from a V6 paired with a six-speed manual, just like the original. The team says the engine is “NSX-inspired,” which leaves plenty of room for speculation—perhaps a heavily reworked version of the 3.0-liter C30A, or maybe an all-new powerplant designed in the spirit of that high-revving masterpiece.

Whatever it is, expect it to sound glorious.

A Sign of the Times

For years, restomods have been the playground of Porsche 911s, Jaguar E-Types, and Ford Mustangs—machines with European or American heritage. Japanese icons were often left in the wings, with the occasional Datsun 240Z revival breaking through the noise.

That’s changing. With NSX prices now topping £100,000 for clean, manual examples, the car’s reputation as a bona fide modern classic is cemented. And JAS’s entry into the scene gives Japan’s ’90s halo car the kind of craftsmanship and reverence usually reserved for Stuttgart and Maranello.

The new JAS NSX restomod will make its full debut early next year, and if the teasers are any indication, it’s shaping up to be something truly special—a fusion of Japanese precision and Italian passion, built for drivers who remember what a perfect steering rack feels like.

In a world obsessed with batteries and boost, that’s something worth celebrating.

Source: Autocar

Motorcycles

2026 Honda Rebel Lineup: The Art of Easy Riding

There’s something quietly brilliant about the Honda Rebel. It’s never tried to be the loudest bike in the room, never worn tassels or shouted about freedom through open pipes. Yet here it is—decades later—still one of the most popular cruisers on the planet. For 2026, Honda hasn’t reinvented the wheel. Instead, it’s refined the formula: style, simplicity, and a new slice of clever tech that’ll make even your gran want a go.

The Baby Rebel Grows a Brain: 2026 Rebel 300 E-Clutch

Honda’s smallest cruiser just got smarter. The Rebel 300 now features Honda’s E-Clutch system—the same trick setup that debuted on the CB650R and CBR650R. In plain English, it means you can ride it like a manual or let the bike handle the clutch work for you. No lever-pulling, no stalling, no panicked bunny hops in traffic. Just twist and go—while still having gears to play with when you’re feeling brave.

It’s the perfect gateway drug to motorcycling: light, low, unintimidating, and properly stylish. At $5,349, it’s cheaper than a month of bad decisions and comes in two moody hues—Matte Black Metallic and Pearl Smoky Gray. Expect to see a fleet of them humming around riding schools and café patios by December.

Middleweight Masterclass: 2026 Rebel 500

If the 300 is your first sip of caffeine, the Rebel 500 is a double espresso. The best-selling cruiser in its class returns with the same balance of attitude and approachability that’s made it a global hit. It’s still slim, still comfy, and still cooler than it has any right to be for under seven grand.

The SE trim, at $6,999, throws in a few factory-fitted goodies—proof that you can have style straight out of the box. And whether you’re stepping up from the 300 or down from something heavier, the 500 feels like the sweet spot: enough poke to keep you smiling, not enough to terrify the neighbours.

Available in Pearl Black, Pearl Smoky Gray, and a rather fetching Pearl Blue for the SE, the Rebel 500 will roll into dealerships this January. Expect demand to be, well, rebellious.

The Big Brother: 2026 Rebel 1100

Now we’re talking. The Rebel 1100 is the cruiser that decided to hit the gym and go to university. It’s got muscle, brains, and a degree in engineering excellence. Honda’s largest Rebel mixes timeless cruiser lines with an almost sci-fi level of sophistication—ride modes, throttle-by-wire, DCT automatic gearbox options, and even Honda RoadSync for seamless smartphone connectivity.

Five trims mean there’s a Rebel for everyone: from the stripped-back purist’s 1100 to the touring-ready 1100T DCT, complete with bags and a fairing that looks ready to cross continents. Prices start at $9,699 and top out at $11,599 for the fully loaded 1100T DCT.

And here’s the thing: while Harley and Indian are still trying to sell you nostalgia, Honda’s out here selling the future—with just enough chrome to keep your dad happy.

Rebels with a Cause

Honda’s 2026 Rebel lineup doesn’t shout for attention—it earns it. From the E-Clutch-equipped 300 to the mile-munching 1100T, each bike captures that easy-riding spirit that’s made the nameplate an icon. It’s about freedom, but with Honda’s trademark accessibility and polish.

So if you’ve ever dreamed of the open road but feared the clutch lever, your time has come. The rebellion has gone electric… sort of.

Source: Honda America