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A group of drivers have filed a class action lawsuit against Honda, saying that 2016-2019 Acura MDX and 2019-2020 Acura RDX vehicles possess a transmission defect.
This defect allegedly causes cars to stall, downshift, decelerate, or shutdown while driving, which poses a safety risk to drivers and others.
The Honda Acura transmission defect class action lawsuit was filed by Daniel Abel, Ewelina Ciula, Marguerite Floyd, Debra Hartzell, and Tasha Williams. These drivers state that they purchased Acura RDX and Acura MDX vehicles believing them to be free of defects. However, after purchasing the vehicles, the drivers say they discovered their vehicles possessed the transmission defect.
The Acura transmission defect class action lawsuit asserts that the defect is caused by a miscommunication between the software and computers that control the vehicles’ transmission, engine and throttle.
Describing how the defect manifests, the drivers say the problem often occurs when the vehicle is driven at highway speeds, when the driver changes lanes or when they pass another vehicle. The plaintiffs point out that these moments require acceleration.
However, when a driver attempts to accelerate, the defect allegedly can cause the vehicle to decelerate rapidly, cause the engine to stall or the gas pedal may hesitate when pushed down. Additionally, the vehicle could also shut down or shift into neutral while the vehicle is being driven.
The Honda Acura transmission class action lawsuit goes on to explain that this defect poses a danger to drivers, passengers and others. The consumers explain that drivers rely on their vehicle’s ability to accelerate when needed and maintain a consistent speed when needed. Often, acceleration gives a driver the ability to move away from other vehicles.
However, the defect allegedly prevents drivers from being able to drive their vehicles reliably, and can increase the risk of a crash. If a car is unable to drive away from other vehicles, or if it suddenly stops or stalls while being driven, then a crash could occur. As a result, the lives of drivers, passengers and others are put at risk.
The Honda Acura transmission problem class action lawsuit goes on to say the defect financially injures drivers. Allegedly, the drivers would not have purchased the vehicles or would not have paid as much for them if they had known that the vehicles were defective.
Despite the financial injury to consumers and the risk of physical injury, the company has not taken adequate steps to repair or address the problem, say the drivers. Allegedly, the company is aware of the defect, but misrepresents the vehicles as safe.
According to the drivers, the company received unjust enrichment from the sale of these vehicles, and violated state and federal consumer protection laws. Additionally, the drivers say that the company violated both express and implied warranties by misrepresenting the vehicles.
Based on these defects, the drivers seek damages on behalf of themselves and all other similarly affected consumers, and they seek a disgorgement of profits that they say were unjustly gained. They also seek declarative and injunctive relief, requesting that the court require the company to stop misrepresenting the vehicles.
They seek to establish a nationwide Class of consumers who purchased the vehicles, as well as several subclasses of consumers who purchased the vehicles in states including Wisconsin, Maryland, Colorado, and California.
To support their claim that Honda was aware of the defect but did not provide consumers with sufficient remedy, the drivers note that within months of the first sales of the 2016 Acura MDX vehicles, Honda began receiving consumer complaints regarding the defect.
Allegedly, these reports were sent to the company and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Despite Honda’s knowledge of the defect since 2015, the drivers claim Honda has not issued a complete recall. Honda issued some repairs, but these allegedly did not fully address the problem. The first repair offered was a software update, which did not fix the defect. After that initial repair, the company reportedly ignored the problem.
Have you ever had transmission problems with your vehicle? Share your experiences in the comments section below.
The drivers are represented by Roman M. Silberfeld, Jennifer W. Leland, Glenn A. Danas, Michael F. Ram, and Marie N. Appel of Robins Kaplan LLP; and by Samuel J. Strauss of Turke & Strauss LLP.
The Honda Acura Transmission Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Daniel Abel, et al. v. American Honda Motor Company Inc., et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-04949, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
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38 thoughts onHonda Class Action Alleges Transmission Defect
My 2016 Acura MDX shifted into neutral as I was going up a hill and the codes illuminated in the dash as, “Transmission Problem, Emissions System Problem, Stop Driving When Safe Transmisson Problem, Apply Parking Brake,” all with a blinking, “N”. I had to let the car roll backwards down a hill to get to a flat surface. The vehicle would not shift into to park as I sat with my foot on the brake and waited to AAA who never came. Finally, I turned the car off and it shifted to park but it would not shift out of gear at that time. I took the vehicle to Jay Wolfe Acura and they replaced the transmission control module. Fast forward two weeks and my car starting doing the exact same thing and it’s been sitting at Jay Wolfe Acura for over 4+ weeks because they are requesting a new transmission be replaced for $7,500 brand new and used $6,700 all of which I cannot afford. My extended warranty company is requiring a transmission breakdown to find the fault in the transmission but none of the shops in my area perform that service so they are refusing to move forward with a claim. I am frustrated and hurt because of all the money I spend monthly on this car and no one is willing to help me out at this point. I don’t know what else to do, this has been very stressful for me.
On Tuesday March 5th, 2024 at exactly 3:26pm; on I-12east in Denham Springs, LA I was enroute to Hammond, LA when my 2017 Acura MDX lost acceleration. The RPM went 6500+ and my MPH went limp, “Emission Systems Problem”, “Emergency Parking Brake Problem”, “Transmission Problem”, blinking “P” came on dash, after pulling over and completely stopped the vehicle went into Park and I couldn’t go into “Reverse”, “Neutral”, or “Drive” but it would crank up!! I had to get a tow truck to bring me home! This was the worst day ever, I thought a was alone in this, but after seeing these stories, I would love some help or advise where do I go next from here??
My 2016 Acura MDX AWD’s transmission recently failed as well. Exact situation as others mentioned right before the transmission gave out: Transmission System Problem light indicator, Emissions System Problem, Blind Spot Info System Problem, flashing ‘P’ and the inability to shift out of Park. My car was inoperable after that and Acura wanted $8k+ to provide a new transmission.
I had concerns on the transmission in the past: screeching noise when driving at highway speeds, then the power would drop (which was super dangerous on the highway when you’re trying to accelerate). I would take it to the dealer and the mechanic near my house, they’d do road tests and say nothing was wrong with the transmission and that they could not replicate the concerns I had.
I had no way of preventing this, as I took all the necessary steps to fix and correct it but Acura was unaware of how to fix or what to fix.
This is unfortunate and unacceptable for a known issue to go unresolved. Owners need compensation.
I experienced all the same symptoms listed above. My transmission finally failed a few weeks ago and since Acura doesn’t sell the internal transmission parts, I need to buy a new transmission which cost me $7000 installed. Friends of mine have Hondas with similar problems and the dealers replaced their transmissions for free. I reached out to Acura and dealers, and they claimed that there are no known issues. I would love to be part of a class action, I definitely think There is a huge problem with the transmissions in Acura MDX Vehicles.
“The gas pedal may hesitate when pushed down.” My 2018 MDX does this all the time , I’ve never had a car where the transmission doesn’t communicate properly , in other words when I stop and then go it takes a second to move, the throttle down nothing happening then it moves , I’ve also had the “d” blinking , wasn’t able to get it into “r” for several minutes was still blinking . Took to Acura dealer they told me it was the sensor was sticking , I might’ve believed it until I started reading about this , I too am interested in a solution ,If there was software update that fixed this id be happy or a part or anything
I’ve experienced similar issues with my 2016 Acura MDX and recently had the Transmission System Problem, Emissions System Problem, Blind Spot Info System Problem, flashing ‘P’ and the inability to shift out of Park. Had car towed to Acura dealer who advised I need a new transmission at a ridiculuous price. Would like to join class action.
My 2017 MDX started having the same exact issues as in the lawsuit this year. When I googled this issue when it first happened, I was shocked to find out I am not alone. This poses a very dangerous situation. When you are trying to merge with traffic or pass someone, the car drops a gear to speed up, makes a horrible grinding noise, then feels like it’s in neutral. Which leaves your car slowing down while vehicles are coming up fast behind you. I hope Acura takes this seriously before someone it’s seriously hurt or worse. Clearly, this has been going for a while and all us Acura owners cannot be crazy! Had I known this was an issue with this vehicle, I would not have purchased it.
My wife has a 2016 Acura Mdx Advanced package and is doing the same as the people that have described their problem please advise me in what I should do next any help regarding this matter would be greatly appreciated.
My transmission failed on my 2016 Acura MDX.
My transmission failed on my 2016 Acura.
Our 2016 MDX is having the same problem with the Transmission Malfunction light, blinking D and and the Blind Spot Malfunction.
Took the car to the dealer, he says we need a new transmission. tried our local transmission repair for another opinion. There was not a savings going to the local repair shop. We would like to join the class action lawsuit. We like our vehicle, but the expense to replace the transmission is crazy.