Honda class action claims some vehicles have Variable Timing Control defect

Honda class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: More than a dozen plaintiffs have filed a class action lawsuit against American Honda Motor Co. Inc. and Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
• Why: Honda allegedly concealed a variable timing control actuator defect that can result in catastrophic engine failure and pose an unreasonable safety hazard.
• Where: The Honda class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.
• What are my options: CarShield provides vehicle protection plans for Kia and other vehicles.

A Honda defect affecting certain vehicles’ variable timing control (VTC) actuator may result in catastrophic engine failure, posing an unreasonable safety hazard, according to a class action lawsuit filed July 5 in California federal court.

More than a dozen plaintiffs filed the Honda class action lawsuit after they allegedly experienced the VTC defect. They say the Honda defect initially manifests with a grinding and/or rattling noise during start up and can get worse over time.

The Honda defect may allegedly be present in the following vehicles: 

• 2012-2014 Honda CR-V with a 2.4 liter engine
• 2012 Honda Accord with an L4 engine
• 2012-2015 Honda Crosstour with an L4 engine

“The [Honda defect] presents an extreme and unreasonable safety hazard to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians because it can cause the class vehicles’ engines to fail, which, in turn, can lead to accidents and/or the stranding of the class vehicles in unsafe locations,” the Honda class action lawsuit states.

Honda class action says automaker knew of VTC defect but continued to sell affected vehicles

The Honda class action lawsuit asserts that the Honda defendants knew about the VTC defect, pointing to multiple Technical Service Bulletins referencing the defective R44 Actuator (Honda part number 14310-R44-A01).

Despite knowing about the Honda defect, the plaintiffs claim the defendants unlawfully concealed the problem and continued to sell the defective R44 Actuator until it introduced a replacement VTC actuator in February 2016. 

Replacement of the defective actuator allegedly costs more than $500, and costs to repair the Honda defect can exceed $1,000 if the timing chain, timing chain tensioner, and related components need repair, the plaintiffs allege.

If the vehicle warranty has expired, consumers must pay out-of-pocket for a VTC actuator replacement, according to the Honda class action lawsuit.

The plaintiffs say they would not have purchased their vehicles, or would have paid less for them, if they had known that they were affected by a potentially dangerous and costly Honda defect.

Honda was recently hit with another class action lawsuit alleging certain Honda and Acura vehicles have an engine defect that can render them inoperable.

Do you own or lease a vehicle affected by the alleged Honda defect? Tell us about your experience in the comments!

The plaintiffs are represented by Mark S. Greenstone and Benjamin N. Donahue of Greenstone Law APC and Kevin F. Ruf, Marc L. Godino, and David J. Stone of Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP.

The Honda defect class action lawsuit is Terri Larson, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc., et al., Case No. 3:23-cv-01238-L-BGS, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.

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