Honda class action lawsuit overview:
- Who: Plaintiff Deneen Nock has filed a class action lawsuit against Honda Motor Co. Ltd. and American Honda Motor Co. Inc.
- Why: Certain Honda and Acura vehicles have an engine defect that renders them inoperable, putting occupants at risk of collision.
- Where: The Honda class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.
A new Honda class action lawsuit alleging certain vehicles contain an engine defect that can cause them to become immobile and inoperable.
Plaintiff Deneen Nock alleges the Honda defect affects the following vehicles equipped with a 3.5L engine and nine-speed automatic transmission:
- 2016-2020 Honda Pilot
- 2015-2020 Honda Odyssey
- 2015-2020 Acura TLX
- 2015-2020 Acura MDX
The class action lawsuit alleges these vehicles are equipped with an Auto-Idle Stop feature intended to improve the vehicles’ fuel efficiency. When the feature functions correctly, the engine shuts off as the vehicle comes to a complete stop and automatically restarts when the brake pedal is released.
However, when this Auto-Idle Stop feature is engaged in vehicles affected by the alleged Honda defect, the automatic engine restart feature is not triggered when the brake pedal is released, posing a significant safety risk to the vehicle occupants, according to the class action.
Because this alleged Honda defect renders the vehicles immobile and inoperable, drivers may face significant costs associated with towing the vehicles and paying for ineffective repairs and/or unnecessary replacement parts, the lawsuit says.
Defendants concealed Honda defect from consumers, class action alleges
Nock alleges defendants Honda Motor Co. Ltd. and American Honda Motor Co. Inc. (AHMC) have known about the Honda defect since at least 2018, when AHMC issued an internal communication acknowledging customer complaints about the issue and requested to visit authorized service departments to inspect the affected vehicles.
Numerous Honda and Acura drivers have filed complaints about the Honda defect with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), prompting the agency to launch an investigation into the issue on June 3, 2022, the class action says.
Despite knowing about the Honda defect, the defendants have failed to notify consumers about the issue, failed to issue a recall and failed to compensate vehicle owners, the plaintiff says. Instead, they have allegedly “wrongfully and intentionally” concealed the defect from consumers.
“No reasonable consumer expects to purchase or lease a vehicle containing a concealed defect that fails to automatically restart the engine, thus stalling the vehicle on public roadways, and creating a risk of collision and danger to the vehicle and its occupants,” the class action states.
The Honda class action lawsuit asserts claims for breach of warranty, fraudulent concealment, negligent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment and violations of the North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Honda was recently hit with another class action lawsuit alleging certain vehicles are affected by a turbo direct engine defect that can cause catastrophic engine failure.
Have you experienced the Honda defect? Tell us about it in the comments.
Nock is represented by Jennifer L. Joost of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check LLP.
The Honda defect class action lawsuit is Deneen Nock, et al. v. Honda Motor Co. Ltd., et al., Case No. 2:23-cv-00109, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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37 thoughts onHonda class action alleges some vehicles have engine defect that renders them inoperable
2017 Honda pilot
Camshaft sensor destroyed over cam shaft play at 73,000 miles Honda headquarters past buck to Honda care then Honda care passed buck back to Honda headquarters a recall needs to be addressed about this issue. 4300,00
We have a 2016 Honda Pilot Touring, 9 speed, and we had catastrophic engine failure. We were having issues and had every single symptom diagnosed but our vin # apparently didn’t qualify for the rod connecting bearing (?) recall. Super frustrated as we have three years of payments remaining and now need to pay upwards of $11,000 for a whole new engine to be put in.
2016 Hobda Pilot EX-L I have alll service records. AC replaced twice and still doesn’t work even though brought in before end of warranty multiple times. They tell us they will charge u $600 to evacuate the system (i ach dealer). The transmission has been replace d THEEE times. It has 147 k on it now. Thankfully o had an extended warranty to 120k. ai would love to go after honda as their customer service sucks. I just reealuzed the transmission is part of power teak and was installed new one not manufactured. So it should have been covered by honda at no costs to me (i had to pay &900 out of pocket to not put a manufactured. or used one in. I paid for new one bec trans are trash). I have all service records, emails and probably the cell calls.I took notes. I’d love to go after honda for it cause they charged me the $50 deductible each time. They made some issues worse like installing ac backwards twice.
it has spent so much time in the shop it’s not funny to include over 3 mos for the last transmission
I have a 2018 Honda Pilot, purchased brand new from dealership. In 2023, at 50,000 miles the transmission light came on – torque converter needed to be replaced. I was within warranty when the light came on – and at a Honda dealership for a routine oil change. At the time, I did not realize the transmission was still under warranty (5 years or 50,000 miles). The dealership instructed us to make an appointment and pay the $195 diagnostic fee. I took my Pilot to a local, reputable auto repair shop, who diagnosed the issue for $60. Went back to Honda who said they will not cover the repair until they diagnose the issue. Long story short, they charged me $195 to tell me what I already knew and quoted me $4981 to replace the converter only. I fought with Honda on the repair. In the end, I paid $3,000. Unreal to me. Fast forward to today, a year and a half later, transmission light on again. Honda says it will cost $1,032 to fix the pressure line switch, but that may not resolve the issue. I may need a new transmission. My vehicle only has 66k miles. I am beside myself.
Involved dealership – Bobby Rahal Honda, Mechanicsburg, PA
· Timeline:
October 3 – Found Code P2652 Rocker Arm Oil Pressure switch that was stuck on the on position replaced and pilot inspected. $242.62
October 4 – Picked up car and drove home, car would not start after arriving home.
October 7 – Battery and Starter were determined to need replaced, waited for a starter replacement.
October 17 – Wife picks up car, which is now making a new terrible noise for the first time. Rahal looked into it and called the next day telling us we needed an engine replacement after paying $570.16 for the starter repair.
October 18 – Jonathan from Rahal called to tell us we now need a new engine at a cost of $7,299.00.
Rahal reimbursed us for the repairs, we had a choice of buying a new car or replacing the engine with the same defective engine. We had to spend another $42,000 for a new Pilot.
· When was the first time (approximate date) you noticed the issue? When we picked the car up after a starter and battery replacement on October 17, 2024.
· How often does the issue happen within a time frame (e.g., once a month)? First time we noticed it was when picking up the car, and we left it with the dealership.
· What is the name & title of the person(s) assisting you at the dealer? Jason Lead and Jonathan Bare
· What is the reason/explanation provided by the dealer, as to what caused this issue? No cause, just sent a text that the engine needed to be replaced with a used engine that would cost $7,585 + tax.
· What repairs/services have been completed (if any)? We had the Rocker Arm Oil Pressure switch that was stuck on the on position replaced, battery and starter. We were reimbursed for those repairs, but not the inspection. When picking up the care after the battery and starter replacement is when the engine was knocking and they said it needed replaced.
· What repairs/services have been suggested? Replace Engine with same used engine with 70,000 miles for $7,585.
· What are the costs estimated for the repair (if any?) $7,585 + TAX
My 2016 pilot touring is having transmission problems. warning lights come on and car revs at 5000RPM and seems like it won’t shift gears. Stutters and is not smooth. Vehicle looses power intermittently.
My 2016 Honda pilot Elite at just under 110,000 miles engine seized with oil in it.
Same here!!
I have a 2016 Honda Pilot EX-L AWD.
My car currently has 95K miles.
In 2021, at 63K miles, I had to have all the fuel injectors replaced. This was covered and paid for in full by Honda.
My extended warranty expired in Jan 2024.
One week ago, my engine failed and car died on the side of the road. When it failed, the engine make a lot of noises. It drove for maybe another 10 minutes when it died on the side of the road.
I have done all oil changes and recommended maintenance at the Honda dealership.
Their diagnosis of the car is that the rod bearing broke in cylinder 6.
Their solution – replace the engine with remaining parts that are good but replace the rest at the cost of $9800. They sent a letter of Goodwill to America Honda and they are willing to contribute $3700 towards the repair.
My gut tells me that this is a result of unfinished or poor business from the fuel injector replacement in 2021 and/or the same as the RECALL issue but I never got a recall letter. I’m very disappointed that Honda isn’t covering the full cost of the engine repair, because it seems identical to the recall of other 2016 Pilots and 18-19 Pilots.
06/03/2024
We have 2016 Honda Odyssey the van has VCM issues. my engine first started hesitating, then would only go around 5 miles per hour. Got it up to 45 mph got it home. Done some troubleshooting done a few things still not running like it should, had it towed to Gearls Jones Honda Evans, Ga.. We were told the piston rings were bad and we needed a new engine. The cost would be $ 5000 plus. this is due to the VCM.
honda has had a problem with there v6 cam shafts starting in 2000 with the 3.0 accord. How do I know. I am an engineer I fix cars and I have a 2000 accord in my shop with the thrust out in both cams and they are flat. My personal 3.5 ridgeline is a 2007 had the same problem. They have a tsb on it , but dont tell anyone. I am so suprised this has not been sue over yet.
I have a ²012 Honda crosstour it has the j35z2 engine and it’s been consuming massive amounts of oil it’s whole life and now it’s motor is completely gone I’ve put top doller oil in it for years and it’s cost me a lot it’s whole life I believe that it’s due to the vcm control and I am very disappointed in this car .I have had this car from its first mile I have reliously changed my oil from day one with royal purple and I don’t care who you are that’s hands down #1 oil and it hasn’t even last me 200000 miles what a pile Honda crosstour hi doller car thanks alot honda