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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77 thoughts onHonda class action claims some vehicles have Variable Timing Control defect
I purchased my 2013 CRV in 2022. It makes a loud grinding rattle on cold starts like metal on metal which lasts for a couple of seconds then decreases and then disappears on the 2nd and 3rd or 4th consecutive starts. It then returns after sitting for a few hours or overnight . In the last year the noise seems to be getting louder and lasts a bit longer . Quotes from
Honda dealer and private mechanic are $2500-3000! Unaffordable at this price and Honda needs to take reaponsibility. Can Canadian owners join the US lawsuit or how does one start a class action lawsuit in Canada against Honda ?
Been having problems since I got the car from transmission vtc accurator,crankshaft and more. . .
I just bought a 2012 Honda Cr-v and didn’t know about this lawsuit. My car was from Illinois, I bought it from a used dealership in Wisconsin and have had nothing but problems with it starting. What can I do ?
My 2014 crv is having this problem first on the cold start up and now every time you start it after sitting for a hour or two.
Please add me! Oh my God yes, my car has this problem 2015 Honda fit
I just bought a 2012 Honda Cr-v and didn’t know about this lawsuit. My car was from Illinois, I bought it from a used dealership in Wisconsin and have had nothing but problems with it starting. What can I do ?
My 2012 Honda CRV, which I really like the SUV. Started making a rattling noise slightly, my boyfriend thought it was the heat shield, it’s getting progressively worse. He just brought it into the shop today to get a price on it. It’s really not an expense we can afford but what choice do we have. Honda should make good on the problem of the VTC actuator
While my kids and my self was going out of town my Honda just started dropping speed no matter how much I pushed the gas it did nothing needless to say I was on the interstate in the left lane running 80 when out of no where my car looses power and sped starts dropping I have a line of cars behind me at this time and another one in the right lane beside me so I couldn’t move over to get off the road safely until the cars in right lane had pasted by once I was finally able to get off the road safe I ended up having to call a tow truck to come get it so 2 hours of 3 kids and myself sitting in heat on side of interstate was bad enough the $600 tow bill just to get the car and us back home safely then another $150 to have someone come to my house to look at it and run test in it just to be told I need to replace the vtc on it which will run me around $800- $1500 to do really pushed me to my break down point Honda really needs to get the vtc problem under control for all makes and modals before someone gets hurt due to the issue needless to say 6 months and we still have no way to get anywhere unless someone I know can come take us
2016 honda accord super loud static noise on the head unit. It’s a Hazzard and safety issue when driving. The noise won’t stop. Hundreds of people are having this same issue and honda hasn’t made it a recall. It’s dangerous to drive like that.
I can be contacted. 2014 CRV with rattling for last year. I want to join a lawsuit.