Honda Oil Dilution Class Action Settlement

Owners and lessees of Honda Civics and Honda CR-Vs have secured a settlement agreement that resolves claims that these vehicles have a defect that causes fuel dilution of engine oil.

Class Members include both current and former owners and lessees of model year 2017 and 2018 Honda CR-Vs equipped with the 1.5 liter turbocharged engine and 2016 through 2018 Honda Civics equipped with the 1.5 liter turbocharged engine.

The Honda oil dilution class action lawsuit alleges that the car maker hid a manufacturing defect in the engines of these model year CR-Vs and Civics. According to the complaint, the defect made it more likely that the oil in the engine would be diluted.

The result of the alleged oil dilution was “decreased oil viscosity, premature wear and ultimate failure of the engines, engine bearings and other internal engine components and an increased cost of maintenance,” said the plaintiffs, three CR-V owners who lodged their complaint in Minnesota federal court.

“Significantly, and as a result of the Engine Defect, the engine oil within the Class Vehicles will be caused to lose its original viscosity, meaning the lubricating properties of the oil diminish and become less capable of withstanding the higher loads of an internal combustion engine,” explained the Honda oil dilution class action lawsuit. “This can result in contact between metal surfaces within the engine, leading to rapid wear of internal bearings, the rotating assembly and other internal parts that rely on lubrication to function correctly.”

As a result of the Honda oil dilution, the vehicles could fail or stall unexpectedly, leading to potentially dangerous events on the roadway.

According to the plaintiffs, Honda had “long been aware” of the defect, but actively concealed it from potential buyers. The class action lawsuit pointed out that complaints about the Honda oil dilution defect had been filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as well as with the car maker.

Honda’s failure to acknowledge the defect caused owners and lessees of the vehicles to face unexpected repair costs and dangerous situations. In addition, the vehicles affected by the defect lost value, said the plaintiffs.

“Many owners and lessees of Class Vehicles have communicated with Defendant and its agents to request that Honda remedy and/or address the Engine Defect and/or resultant damage at no expense,” alleged the complaint. “Defendant has failed and/or refused to do so – often conveying to Vehicle owners and lessees that Class Vehicles are operating as intended and therefore cannot be repaired under warranty or otherwise.”

The Honda oil dilution class action lawsuit claims the car maker attempted to shift blame on to customers who complained of the problem within the terms of their five-year, 60,000 mile Power Train Warranties, telling them that it was their fault for not driving the affected vehicle longer distances.

Honda failed to appropriately repair, replace or issue a recall on the CR-Vs that were reportedly affected by the oil dilution defect. Nor had the car maker offered to reimburse owners and lessees for expenses incurred by the defect.

In August 2019, the parties entered into a settlement agreement in the Honda oil dilution class action lawsuit. Under the terms of the settlement, Honda agreed to extend the Powertrain Limited Warranty on Class Vehicles in order to cover oil dilution repairs. Class Members will be automatically enrolled to receive this benefit of the settlement.

Class Members can also submit a claim form to be reimbursed for vehicle repair expenses related to problem caused by the alleged defect. Expenses can include towing, certain oil changes and diagnostic costs. Class Members must submit proof of the expenses and that they were related to the alleged oil dilution defect with their claim.

Claim forms can be accessed on the settlement website. They must be printed and mailed to the settlement administrator by Sept. 29, 2020.

Class Members with vehicles registered in certain states will be given a Product Update at an authorized Honda Dealer at no additional cost. These states include Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Honda will notify these Class Members.

The final hearing in the Honda oil dilution class action settlement is scheduled for July 31, 2020. Class Members who wish to object to or exclude themselves from the settlement must do so by April 27, 2020.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members include both current and former owners and lessees of model year 2017 and 2018 Honda CR-Vs equipped with the 1.5 liter turbocharged engine and 2016 through 2018 Honda Civics equipped with the 1.5 liter turbocharged engine.

Potential Award

Varies.

• All Class Members will automatically receive an extended Power Train Warranty
• Class Members can submit claims for out-of-pocket expenses related to repairs caused by the engine defect. These claims are capped at $250.
• Class Members with vehicles registered in certain states will automatically be entitled to a free Product Update from an authorized Honda dealer. These states include include Alaska, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin

Proof of Purchase

Claims for out-of-pocket expenses must include proof that the expense was related to the oil dilution defect.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

09/29/2020

Case Name

Fath, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. 0:18-cv-01549-NEB-LIB, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Minnesota

Final Hearing

7/31/2020

Settlement Website

OilDilutionSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Oil Dilution Claims Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 2718
Torrance, CA 90509
888-888-3082

Class Counsel

Matthew D. Schelkopf
SAUDER SCHELKOPF

Matthew Mendelsohn
MAZIE SLATER KATZ & FREEMAN LLC

Nicholas Migliaccio and Jason Rathod
MIGLIACCIO & RATHOLD LLP

Daniel Hedlund
GUSTAFSON GLUEK PLLC

Defense Counsel

Michael Andolina
SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP

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