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Honda sold more than two million cars in the United States with a defect that can cause cars to stop while being driven, stall, or not turn on, a new nationwide class action alleges.
In the class action lawsuit filed Tuesday in an Iowa federal court, Plaintiff George Jones alleges that American Honda Motor Company violated federal warranty and consumer laws in its dealing with customers with Honda CR-Vs (model years 2017-2019) and Honda Accords (model years 2016-2019).
Jones says, for years Honda has failed to disclose that millions of its vehicles suffer from a defect known as parasitic draining.
Parasitic draining occurs when electrical components in a vehicle fail to shut down once the vehicle is parked and turned off, which in turn allows the components to continue consuming power from the battery, the class action states.
“Left unrepaired, parasitic draining results in the premature obsolescence of the vehicle’s battery and a host of component failures.”
Jones, who has a 2019 Honda CR-V, says what makes the defect such a safety concern is that the damage it causes manifests without warning, creating the risk of vehicles stopping while being driven, or for emergency hazard lights and headlights to fail and engine to stall.
“The Defect also leaves drivers stranded and unable to start their vehicles,” the claim alleges.
“Owners have complained that the Defect has caused them to miss medical appointments and left them stranded in the middle of the night in airport parking lots.”
Honda has sold over two million cars with the defect, according to the class action.
Jones also alleges that the defect has left Honda owners stuck paying hundreds or thousands of dollars in replacement batteries and repairs, and that those repairs are only a “bandaid” on the problem, which will ultimately happen again.
Honda was aware of the defect before selling a single car, the claim alleges, and, while it has instructed dealers to update software and replace dead batteries if necessary, it knows these are not permanent solutions.
Jones is looking to represent anyone in the United States who owns or leases a Honda CR-V (model years 2017- 2019) or Honda Accord (model years 2016-2019), plus an Iowa subclass.
The class action alleges breach of breach of warranty, unjust enrichment and violations of consumer protection acts.
Jones is seeking certification of the class action, an appropriate injunction, extended warranties, damages, costs, fees and a jury trial.
This is not the first time Honda has faced class action over battery issues. In 2017, a California woman filed a class action saying Honda failed to properly address defects in the starter motors and batteries of certain model years of Honda Accords and Honda Crosstours.
Do you own a Honda that has experienced battery issues? Let us know your experience with your vehicle in the comments!
The plaintiff is represented by J. Barton Goplerud of Shindler, Anderson, Goplerud & Weese, PC and Elizabeth A. Fegan and Jonathan D. Lindenfeld of Fegan Scott LLC.
The Honda Battery Class Action Lawsuit is Jones et al., v. American Honda Motor, Co. INC, Case No. 4:21-cv-00148-JAJ-CFB, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.
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213 thoughts onHonda Sold Millions of Cars With Major ‘Parasitic Draw’ Defect, Class Action Alleges
We have the same issues on 2017 Accord Hybrid. New batteries required. There is a constant drain on the battery. I connect a trickle charger to the vehicle regularly to try to manage the problem.
2021 Honda Pilot Touring – 2 battery replacements in 14 months. Multiple times the car wouldn’t start. Once it had to be towed and left me stranded. Honda service department tried to blame us, saying we don’t drive it far enough everyday to keep the battery charged.
Sounds all to familiar. I bought a new 2018 Accord Touring. As the sales person was getting the car started to bring to me I saw him with a handheld jump box jumping the brand new car. Several trips back to dealership, nothing wrong. Then ready to leave for work at midnight, dead battery just days after being told the battery was fine. I’m not stupid, I knew the battery was draining for whatever reason but after I showed my a__ an screaming phone call at midnight to the sales person although I had to drive 45 miles to the dealership I got a loaner until they admitted they replaced the battery. So brand ne battery lasted about 3 years and the service manager at Gilmam Honda has the nerve to tell me Honda batteries only last couple years. I’ve had 4 Hondas. I never had a battery problem on any of them. I’m done with Honda
OMG! This happened to me I owned a 2014 Honda Accord EXL that did the exact same thing. It is not only the CRV. This vehicle caused me to miss extremely important once in a lifetime events, left me stranded more than once. It caused me extreme grief. I can get you the VIN number if you like The dealership did replace the battery once but it happened several times after that. I always kept jumper cables in the car even after it happened and they replaced it. My car was an Accord EXL
I purchased a 2019 Honda CR-V Touring. It is still under warranty and I bought the extended warranty as Honda dealership suggested. I have 21,000 miles on it and it’s now on the 4 battery. The dealership won’t admit anything is wrong. Please contact me. I want to be added to the law suit. It’s so upsetting and frustrating to have a new car that won’t start. I’ve been swindled.
I own a 2016 Honda Accord sport, and I’ve had the battery replaced multiple times. The first time was three months after purchasing my car (brand new)! Once, while driving on the freeway, all electrical features stopped working, headlights, brake system, windows, and blinkers, and I had to get my roadside assistance to tow it to Honda. When the service department checked it out, they told me everything worked fine. It’s not okay. I want to be included in the lawsuit.
My 2019 crv battery was giving me trouble for months,having to jump start it,I attributed to the fact that I am retired and do not drive as much.Finally one moth over the three year warranty and only 14,088 miles the battery went completely dead and honda charged me $50 instead of honoring what shoul have been a no charge because it failed months before,I called Honda and they refused to honor my warranty telling me that the tiny under powered lawn mower battery that was being drained every three days, was regularly $225. and they were doing me a favor at $50.Gee thanks,I had bought a Die hard 5 year battery for my Element for $85 Put me in the class action lawsuit.Its not the money,I do not like being cheated.
I own a 2018 Honda Accord sport I had battery replaced at Honda dealership (2xs) and while driving on freeway all electrical stop working , headlights, navigation, brake system, blinkers, lane changing stopped immediately had to get my AAA to tow it home and the next day got it towed to Honda service and when they checked it everything worked fine. It’s not fine I could of caused an accident also back up camera has stopped working but Honda service center can’t find a problem they just say if it happens again bring it back. pls include me in lawsuit.
2017 CR-V Touring AWD – 3 batteries since new and now starting to see the symptoms of low battery voltage once again. Looks like a 4th battery in less than 6 years is going to be needed…
I have had issues with a drained battery since April 2019 on my 2017 CRC Touring. I have taken it to the Honda dealer three times regarding this issue at various times and all they have done is change the battery. I have learned to jump my car numerous times and carry jumper cables with me for that reason, after using my jump starts through AAA. I recently starting doing my own research and found the information you have noted on this class action lawsuit. Why have the dealers not offer a diagnostic on my car to fix these issues that have developed with these CRV,s. My car is at 39,000+ miles (over the warranty), I’m frustrated they never offered the diagnostic to see what was really affecting my battery drain! I have contacted Honda Corporation to begin a case with customer service, since this defect was brought to their attention in 2019. I request to be included in the class action law suit.
My 2017 Honda Accord drains my battery monthly. My fob emergency keys aren’t cut for my car do they don’t work you get into the car once battery drains. Honda is zero help. Replaced battery in 2019 buying a new battery today. Also my navigation system shuts off or freezes all the time while driving. How do I get in the lawsuit?