Over 40,000 cars are being recalled in the UK over a major defect that could cause a wheel come off while the caris on the move.

The issue affects some Honda Civic models where a wheel nut may not have been tightened enough, meaning it did not meet the required torque, according to the EU Commission. It means the nuts can gradually loosen as the car moves, putting the vehicle at an increased risk of wheel loss - which could cause accidentsand injuries, Auto Express says.

The recall is said to affect up to 46,152 Honda Civics in the UK built between 2017 and 2021.

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Multiple other European countries have identified the same fault, including Germany, France, Portugal, Sweden and Slovakia.

Honda reportedly plans to start contacting customers impacted by the defect early this year. Drivers can provide their details by scanning a QR code at a main Honda dealer before having their vehicles checked.

If their cars are impacted by the defect, they will be offered an appointment for the necessary work to be carried out.

The news follows a 2024 Porsche recall which impacted cars with centre-lock wheels which did not have bolts that met the required specifications. Porsche issued a stop-drive order to around 1,000 drivers in the UK as a result of the defect.