Honda Brake Pad Class Action Settlement Gets Final Approval

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On June 8, a nationwide Honda Civic Brake Pad class action settlement was given final approval by the presiding California federal judge that will provide reimbursement to over 14,000 owners of certain Honda Civic model cars, who were forced to pay out-of-pocket for the cost of replacing the front brakes that wore out prematurely.

This Honda class action lawsuit, filed in October 2011, arose from the allegedly defective design of the front brake pads featured in 2006-2011 Honda Civic vehicles. This alleged brake pad defect required that Honda Civic owners replace their front brake pads every 7,500 to 15,000 miles as opposed to the 30,000 mile life expectancy of the majority of properly functioning brake pad products. The plaintiffs of this Honda Civic brake pad class action lawsuit further allege Honda failed to repair the brake pad defect, even though the Honda Civics’ brakes were covered under the company’s warranty.

According to the Honda Civic brake pad class action settlement, “For brake pads that require replacement after being used for 7,500 miles or less, Honda will reimburse 100% of the total costs of replacing the brake pads (including parts, labor, taxes, and rotor resurfacing, but not including any costs relating to replacing rotors).” Similarly, for brake pads that required replacement before 15,000, the consumers will be reimbursed 50 percent of the total cost of brake pad replacement, and 25 percent for up to 20,000 miles. It is important know that this brake pad replacement must have taken place during the Honda warranty period.

Class Members of the Honda Civic brake pad settlement include: “[A]ll residents of the United States, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam who currently own or lease, or previously owned or leased, a 2006–2011 Honda Civic with rear drum brakes (DX [or] LX trims) distributed for sale or lease in the United States (including Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands).”

In September and October of last year, notices of the Honda Civic brake pad class action settlement were sent out to about 1.7 million potential Class Members who were identified as current or former owners of over 900,000 qualifying Honda vehicles. According to the brake pad claims administrator, 14,095 Honda claim notices were received as of February of this year, as well as 8 objections to the settlement and 418 opt-out responses as of the beginning of January.

When U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller gave her final approval of this brake pad class action settlement, she stated that continued litigation of this Honda class action lawsuit “would likely be complex, risky, lengthy, and expensive for both sides,” making this settlement favorable for all involved.

Honda continues to deny all liability in this Honda Civic brake pad class action lawsuit, but agreed to settle to avoid the uncertainty of future litigation and to avoid further court expenses.

The plaintiffs are represented by Michael A. Caddell and Cynthia B. Chapman of Caddell & Chapman, and Payam Shahian of Strategic Legal Practices APC.

The Honda Civic Brake Pad Class Action Lawsuit is Zakskorn, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc., et al., Case No. 2:11-cv-02610, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.