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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
My 2014 CRV Honda is experiencing the parasitic draining effect and it’s happening more frequently I would like to be involved in the class action suit against Honda I always thought that Honda was top of the line and after I just had to have my heater core completely flushed out due to the heater core issue that Honda has covered up as well. I’m very disgusted with them just because these are not life-threatening problems doesn’t mean they are not a huge issue for the regular person.
How do we get this piece of crap Honda fixed ? The excuses from the dealer are ridiculous, cause we don’t drive it enough. Ten thousand miles and three batteries later being stranded all over town
I have a 2017 Honda CRV. Purchased New from dealer. replaced the battery the first time in the first year. I have had the vehicle for almost 5 years. I keep a battery starter in my car. I can’t trust the car. Right now it is completely dead in my driveway.
I do not drive much since I work from home. I expected more from Honda.
I’m wondering about the Cross Bar Corrosion… Honda pulled my truck from the road, offered me a pitiful amount and when I asked them to keep that and help me replace my vehicle I was told “there’s nothing out there! good luck!”… All I needed was help replacing my vehicle. Then Honda gave me a form that has ME swearing the vehicle isn’t “branded” as “irreparable” or “salvage” or “Junk”… that doesn’t make sense to me at all. I put $1,200+ into my car months before this on a rattle and new brakes, etc. unnecessary improvements as I expected my vehicle to last me many more years, and even that wasn’t taken into consideration. That is 5 car payments that I now have to make. I really hope Honda is held accountable. I truly begged for help, almost lost my job because I live remotely and can’t walk to work, need my truck to haul fire wood to heat my home and feed for my animals. I live alone and rely on my truck and nearly lost everything due to bringing it in for a recall and getting zero support to replace. I would have paid my fair share, but I truly needed help to find something reliable. I’ve only ever bought Hondas because of their staying power and have lost so much money in unnecessary maintenance that could have went toward replacing Honda’s unsafe Ridgeline.
My 2018 Honda CRV is suddenly experiencing parasitic drain. I have an appt at Honda Monday but have a feeling they’ll just want to do 1000’s in repairs or tell me all is fine.
My 2018 CR-V out of the blue experienced a parasitic drain that created a host of problems even after a new battery was installed. They say it was due to the BCM. From my research it is very common.
I bought a 2018 Honda CRV and just put my third battery. Had to have me car towed twice and the other day luckily was at Walmart when I came it wouldn’t start so had to get my third battery.
I PURCHASED A 2017 HONDA ACCORD NEW AND IT HAS HAD PROBLEMS FROM THE START, I HAVE REPLACED BATTERY 3 TIMES, IT IS FINE ONE DAY AND JUST DRAINS OVERNIGHT OR WHENEVER, I HAVE BEEN STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES, WHAT A LEMON.
I have a Honda 2013
CR-V ,
My battery dies constantly I’ve had AAA coming help me with the battery.. hazard , Headlights , radio ,are on Dead battery,,,
just be in park there the battery dies for no reason . Please put me in this lawsuit add my name
We have leased a string of 4-5 Honda CRVs, and they’ve all had battery issues. The battery in our current 2019 CRV died, and it took the service dept at Honda about a week to be able to get us in just to swap out the battery. In the meantime we had to rent a vehicle at about $150 a day. Our lease will be up in October, and the dealership has been giving us the hard sell. I don’t think I want another Honda.