DETROIT – The state’s highway safety agency is investigating complaints that engines can fail on 1.4 million Honda and Acura vehicles.

The probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covers the 2016 to 2020 Honda Pilot and Acura MDX, as well as the 2018 to 2020 Honda Odyssey and Acura TLX. Also included is the 2017 to 2019 Honda Ridgeline.

The agency says in documents posted on its website Monday that connecting rod bearings on vehicles with 3.5-liter V6 engines can fail, resulting in a complete engine failure. Connecting rods connect the pistons to the crankshaft and convert vertical motion to move the wheels.

Honda recalled about 250,000 vehicles in November 2023 to fix the same problem. But the agency says it has 173 complaints from owners who reported connecting rod bearing failures but their vehicles were not included in the recall. One owner reported a non-injury accident.

The agency said it is opening a recall inquiry to determine the severity of the problem in vehicles not included in the 2023 recall.

Honda said it would cooperate with NHTSA in the investigation.

In documents explaining the 2023 recall, the automaker said it had 1,450 warranty claims because of the bearing problem, but no injuries were reported. Dealers would inspect and repair or replace the engines if necessary.