Honda Accord Oil Defect Class Action Lawsuit

A federal class action lawsuit claims that 2008-2010 Honda Accords have “a systematic design defect that enables oil to enter into the engine’s combustion chamber.” The defect causes excessive oil consumption, premature spark plug degradation and engine malfunction, the lawsuit says.The Honda Accord class action lawsuit says the systematic design defect may be the result of numerous things, including a material defect, workmanship of the vehicles’ valve guide seals or piston rings, or a flaw in Honda’s VTECT variable engine-timing system.

“Hundreds of complaints concerning this defect appear online, including at least 130 complaints on www.carcomplaints.com referencing the 2008 Accord alone. Numerous complaints are available on other websites too, including the complaints forum of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (‘NHTSA’),” the Accord oil defect class action lawsuit says.

The Plaintiffs allege Honda has known about the Accord oil defect for a long time, but continues to actively conceal the defect from consumers and deny there is a known problem.

As a result, the Accord oil defect forces consumers to constantly monitor oil levels in their vehicles and, worse, replace the oil at a rate “far exceeding their reasonable expectations and will eventually incur bills for repairs of components damaged by the oil’s corrosive byproducts.” Furthermore, the class action lawsuit continues, the defect causes “premature fouling” and requires the replacement of spark plugs – further costs incurred by the vehicle’s owner.

The Honda Accord class action lawsuit is brought on behalf of all current and former owners and lessees of a 2008, 2009, or 2010 Honda Accord vehicle who paid for a repair related to the defect or for oil replacements beyond what a reasonable consumer would expect.

The lawsuit is seeking damages, restitution and injunctive relief for violations of the Consumers Legal Remedies Act, the Unfair Competition Law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and for breach of express warranty.

A copy of the Honda Accord Oil Defect Class Action Lawsuit can be read here.

The case is Alex Soto, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Case No. 12-cv-1377, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California.

UPDATE 1: Honda has agreed to a class action lawsuit settlement in this case. Details on how to file a claim coming soon.

UPDATE 2: This class action settlement now includes other Honda vehicles, including the Honda Accord, Odyssey and Crosstour. Details on how to file a claim to receive reimbursement for repair costs can be found here.

UPDATE 3: A federal judge granted final approval to the Honda engine misfire class action settlement at a March 21, 2014, Final Fairness Hearing.

UPDATE 4: Reimbursements from the Honda Engine Misfire Class Action Settlement were mailed July 14, 2014. A second wave of checks will go out this Fall, according to the Settlement Administrator. If you get a check, let us know!