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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
2019 TLX A-Spec that the mechanic showed me how my car with 30,000 miles on it drains the battery when everything is off. The bluetooth kicks on and I’ve been through 3 batteries and 2 bluetooth modules, that I paid for. The Acura dealership wouldn’t give me a new battery because I’d gotten an Acura battery at a different Acura dealership.
Add me to the lawsuit.
Same here 2014 MDX. Just unplugged the Bluetooth so we’ll see!
Please add me
Acur RL 2005
Battery changed several times
Parasitic drainage
Please add me. 2006 Acura, I hate having to jump it off all the time !!
Please add me. I have a 2007 MDX and bought several batteries just to find out I needed to unplug by HFL.
add me
2015 TLX confirmed at dealership. add me
Please add me to the battery drain class action lawsuit. 2008 Acura MDX. Cost me 2 batteries, 3 road service calls and a repair shop to disconnect the feature. Thanks
Add me as well 2014 Acura mdx consrant battery replacement left stranded. Changing alternators
Same issue here with 2012, please add me.
Some years ago, after investigating the constant dead battery, I figured out via You Tube my 2006 Acura TL Blue Tooth module was causing the “parasitic” battery drain. So, I removed it and the problem resolved. That was when the TL had about 65,000.
I’ve only 118,000 miles and intend to keep the car so I’d like it replaced under a recall.