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A class action against car manufacturer American Honda Motor Company Inc. alleges that its “hands free” Bluetooth feature in Acura vehicles is constantly running, draining car batteries and hampering electrical systems.
The Acura class action lawsuit alleges that in the early 2000s every car manufacturer was trying to add a “hands free” cell phone feature to its automobiles and Honda was one of the first major car company to do so, introducing its “HandsFreeLink” system in its luxury Acura models in 2004.
The Bluetooth system allows drivers to use cell phones without using their hands, which is required by law in some states, such as California.
However, the complaint contends that “unfortunately, in its effort to beat out the competition, Honda failed to develop the most basic feature for any electric device like the HandsFreeLink™ unit – reliably switching off when not in use.”
The complaint asserts that the Acura HandsFreeLink system gets stuck in the “on” mode, which “creates a constant and substantial parasitic electric drain on the electric system, leading to drained and dead batteries, recurring battery replacement and premature failure of other essential electric components such as alternators.”
Honda has known about the issue since at least 2005 but has not issued a recall or offered free repairs to Acura owners, according to the class action lawsuit.
The complaint cites an internal bulletin issued to Acura Dealerships in July of 2005 which acknowledges the problem, and also states that once the battery is drained, the HandsFreeLink can reset. This causes the fault to be more difficult to discover, the complaint argues.
The class action lawsuit asserts that because Honda failed to address the electrical issue, Acura owners can only choose between disabling the HandsFreeLink system or paying for a new system, which might break again, at a cost of more than $1,000 each.
Plaintiff Janice Pfeiffer states that in 2008, she purchased a 2006 Acura MDX from an Acura dealership in Pennsylvania. She alleges that starting in 2012 her vehicle had a dead battery, and Pfeiffer “began a repeating cycle of jump starts, replacement of components in the electric system, including an alternator and several batteries, before learning in 2016 that the HandsFreeLink™ system had been parasitically draining her batteries and straining her electrical system for years.”
Pfeiffer alleges that Honda violated consumer protection laws by fraudulently concealing the Bluetooth defect.
The Acura battery drain lawsuit requests to certify a Class of “persons who purchased an Acura with a HandsFreeLink™ system.” The class action seeks restitution for Acura owners, as well as punitive damages under state consumer protection laws.
The plaintiff is represented by Lee M. Gordon and Steve W. Berman of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP; Christopher A. Seeger, Scott Alan George and Daniel Leathers of Seeger Weiss LLP; James E. Cecchi of Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Olstein, Brody & Agnello, P.C.; Roland K. Tellis and Mark P. Pifko of Baron & Budd, P.C.
The Acura Bluetooth Battery Drain Class Action Lawsuit is Janice Pfeiffer v. American Honda Motor Company Inc., Case No. 2:16-cv-04507, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
UPDATE: On July 12, 2016 this Acura Bluetooth Battery Drain class action lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed. A similar case was filed in August 2016, and is still moving through the courts at this time.
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254 thoughts onAcura Class Action Alleges Bluetooth Drains Batteries
Please add me to the suit! This has been a problem since I purchased 2006 TSX brand new from the dealer. At first it was just eating batteries, now, despite having a brand new battery, it has to be jumped every few days. (And this is after the Bluetooth was disconnected!) So frustrating. The car is now so unreliable. I have 123,500 miles on the car.
My 2006 Acura MDX also has this problem! I have had to replace batteries 3 or 4 times now. Just last week I had been driving it every day, then on Friday morning woke up and it wouldn’t start. Jumped it. Drove it around town for about 30 minutes. Next morning. Battery dead again. Has been to the dealer in the past requesting they look into it. Told me they couldn’t find anything wrong. Gave me a new battery. I want to be added to this lawsuit! My Acura only has 134,000 miles on it, too!
Please add me as well 2005 Acura RL have replaced the battery 4x in the last year and its currently dead as we speak Im so frustrated with this car I could scream how do I get added to the lawsuit?
Please add me to this class action lawsuit. We have replaced battery at 206.00 on our 2006 Acura TSX and the car battery still keeps dying due to battery drain from the HFL and bluetooth. Spent $ 120 for getting it electronically diagnosed by our mechanic. Was asked to replace the stereo which would cost 1000-2000.
Add me to this class action lawsuit too! My 2010 Acura TSX has had this battery drain issue for the past two years. I replaced the battery 2 times with the dealership as they originally thought it was a battery issue. They eventually did a diagnostic test on the alternator and the recent battery and they can’t point to anything other than maybe I need to do longer trips in the car for it to do a better recharge on the battery…. I’m thinking about disconnecting the bluetooth at this point.
Me too! It is happening right now! So darn frustrating
Add me please
Please add me to the class action lawsuit. I just replaced the alternator and battery and disabled the bluetooth
Same problem also had the battery tested it was fine but kept dying so I replaced it worked for a few weeks now dying again. I don’t want to dissconnect hands free and it’s over $200 for a new module. I’m Very disappointed in Acura,
2013 Acura MDX 6 battery’s in the last year and half ! Good thing I bought a lifetime warranty on it ! I have my Bluetooth unplugged and still have a battery drain issue ! It’s been to several shops and no one can find the problem!
This is my very first car I bought !! I am beyond frustrated I still owe money on it and just want it damn thing to burn to the ground !
OMG! YES! ADD ME!!! I HAVE ISSUES SINCE I BOUGHT MY TYPE S IN 2007!! BATTERIES KEEP DYING, BLUETOOTH HAD TO BE REMOVED AND NOW I HAVE NO HANDSFREE… EVEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE HAS NEVER BEEN RIGHT AND NOW, I CAN’T EVEN CHANGE MT DASH CLOCK!! I HAVE PURCHASED 3 UPDATED NAVIGATION DVD’S, THAT KEEP FAILING…I LOVE MY 2007 TYPE S ,but, THIS has cost me a fortune!!! ADD ME PLEASE!!