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Honda has been hit with a proposed class action lawsuit alleging the automaker knew the passenger cabins of CR-V vehicles frequently become filled with a harmful noxious gasoline odor but failed to disclose this to buyers.
Plaintiffs Bruce and Leann Beehler of Wisconsin filed the Honda CR-V class action lawsuit in Illinois federal court on Monday, alleging the company violated federal law by not honoring the customers’ requests to fix the gas odor problem under the terms of the warranty they received with the sports utility vehicle when they purchased it.
According to the Beehlers, within days of purchasing their Honda CR-V in Jan. 2016, they experienced what smelled like an “open pool of gasoline” inside the passenger cabin.
The noxious odor allegedly persisted no matter the speed they drove or duration of driving.
The lawsuit claims that the dangers to humans associated with inhaling fumes from gasoline are well-documented and include nose and throat irritation, dizziness, breathing difficulties, COPD, and lung cancer.
In March, when the vehicle mileage was only 1,916 miles, the Beehlers says they took their CR-V to a Honda dealership for service and reported on the gas smell.
It was at this time, the plaintiffs were allegedly told by a dealership employee that many other CR-V owners have complained about the noxious odor filling the cabin and that they did not have a solution.
The vehicle was returned to the Beehlers with no diagnostic test or repair procedures having been performed, the lawsuit states.
A little less than a month later, the couple says they returned to the same Honda dealership to report the continuing gas odor problem, with the same outcome.
The Beehlers proceeded for the next four months to take their CR-V to various Honda dealerships to try to fix the gas odor problem with no luck in resolving the issue and allegedly no action from Honda to correct or replace the vehicles.
“Honda, through its Tech Line, acknowledges that it is aware of a widespread problem of noxious odors and that it does not know how to repair the problem, yet still refuses to replace the defective vehicles,” the lawsuit reads.
The Beehlers claim that their vehicle is covered under warranty for “absence of defects in materials and workmanship, including design, and the durability and longevity of the CR-V.”
In particular, the warranty states that “Honda will repair or replace any part that is defective in material under normal use…All repairs/replacements made under this warranty are free of charge. The replaced or repaired parts are covered only until this New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires.”
The couple says that Honda failed to comply with the warranty and violated the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
In addition to equitable relief, reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses and costs they have incurred to try to rectify the horrible, noxious gasoline odor in their vehicles, the plaintiffs are seeking compensatory, statutory, and punitive damages due to the loss of their vehicle.
They are seeking to represent a nationwide Class of consumers who purchased a 2016 Honda CR-V from 2015 to present.
The Beehlers are represented by Daniel J. Voekler and Alexander N. Loftus of Voekler Litigation Group.
The Honda CR-V Gasoline Odor Class Action Lawsuit is Bruce Beehler and Leann Beehler, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc., Case No. 1:16-cv-08525, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division.
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49 thoughts onHonda Class Action Filed Over Unfixed CR-V Gas Odor Problem
We have the same issue, 2017 CRV,
( purchased in April) and have noticed the fuel smell for over a month now was able to replicate it with service person in car, smell was suttle at time and he claimed he could smell something but not sure what. ( the smell varies from suttle to strong and seems to appear when car is started or in idle)
Honda dealer had it for 2 1/2 days and claim they could not replicate
I picked it up and later that day it presented its self. And today, ugh
I’m going to take my recent info back to them ( keeping log/ detailed info)
I have been dealing with this problem and they say there is nothing they can do. It is crazy. They told me it was because a Cat peed on my hood and then they said it was a dead Rat or something in my motor and wanted me to pay a lot of money for them to take apart my motor and dash. I told them no and that was not the problem and then the service guy smelled the gas in my car when I took it to the shop, but now they are saying they didn’t smell it and they don’t know what to do. And now they won’t even look at my car at all. I am at a complete lose on what to do. I told them I was contacting a lawyer and they didn’t even seem to care. I have had the fuel smell ever since I bought the car in Oct 2016 and now its Oct 2017 and still having the problem plus when I use the Ac is gives out a odor smell that is nasty and its a new car and shouldn’t be doing this. I am so pissed and I want it gone. I am in Oregon. Any ideas on what to do while I wait?
Guys,
If you are not aware, read the lemon law. I have just gone through that with the same issue and won the case with great help of an attorney Vince Megna. Honda returned 100% cost I paid for 2016 CR-V and I bought a new car. It is not an attempt to advertise the attorney, but the attempt to help you. In Wisconsin the law says, either you are not able to drive your car for more than 30 days during the year or you reported 4 times the same problem that has not been fixed. So, go to the shop, explain the problem get a written report from them, it does not matter if they confirm the issue or not, you must have a written document with their conclusion. Next day go again and again and again. Go to the other Honda shop and get one more or a couple reports, then go to any attorney and tell him/her that you need help with Lemon case for your car. You will not pay anything in Wisconsin – (I did not), but attorney will get all the money from Honda. Honda is aware and there are at least two cases won in Wisconsin for the same issue.
From day one that I purchased my 2015 Honda CRV I have mentioned to my husband about this gas smell in cabin at idle. At first we thought it was just my sensitive sense of smell, but know he can really smell it, we have to turn the air to only circulate inside when at idle otherwise its unbearable.
My Honda is a 2008 CRV and I have smelled gas immediatly after and during any ride lasting more than 5 mins I called Honda the week after I bough my CRV and was talked out of any problems.
I Love Honda! But I Do Not Love what purchasing a brand new 2016 CRV, upon within 6 weeks of driving, created for me and my life and my career, and above all else my health! — September 2016 ” Honda’s Error is My Misfortune” An event that is basically being swept away as if “shhh, no one will notice” — After a dreary weary long haul of empty answers and acknowlegments and solutions, via the proud, progressive, prosperous vehicle maker “Honda”, I made peace with “is what it is, so go forward and start fresh, knowing at least you did not die” ( no sarcasm here ) — Within the first month of ownership and driving less than 4,000 km highway driving, consisted of open free rocky mountain fresh air for travels, along with minimal driving the small, central Alberta city, Red Deer, where my Wellness Shoope business is located on the near outskirts of this 90,000 city — It was after 3 trips to emergency with higher than normal levels of Carbon Monoxide, combined with nasty and scary health symptoms, that I began to recall / recognize for linking / locating the toxic source was the mid driving time, during my 2 hour highway driving —- Onset symptoms of burning eyes, heachache, face flushing red, nausea, smell of chemical burning like an exhaust, sensation of chest tightness, rapid heart beat, which always included post symptoms ( usually the following day ) raspy sand-paper-like sore throat, several canker sores within mouth, fluid like congestion in lungs ( morning coughing as it loosened ) as well, my sense of smell was impermeated with fume smell ( like an old tailpipe and motor burning oil smell ) which lasted for 36-48 hours after exposure — Its been 6 months now with ups and downs and renting safe vehicles while waiting for 2 months for a Honda Customer Relations report via email which does not include anything, other than “No fume smell was detected” No Report or Acknowledgement of what the 2 technicians, whom Honda Canada even flew 1 of them from Toronto to lil’ Red Deer, disclosed with me ; regarding a concerning excessively dirty Cabin Air Filter — Its now March 2017 — Im not a smoker no drinker no gunky lifestyle no negative thinking — Im 54 years with no previous ill health history, im sucessful business owner, Im of sound mind, and Im happy! —- My body defended itself from the poison and did its best for maintaining its homeostasis — Its generated a condition some know as MUSES and more commonly known as Chemical Hypersensitivity — particularily, all burning fuel sources: a campfire, a trip to hawaii on a jet, and other things I always was freely and with health was able to enjoy, I am not able to now — The unknown yet possible and well linked long term effects; such as nerve damage, pulmonary edema and other misfortunate developments due to exposure to toxic hydrocarbons, may or may not arise for the occassion of “Honda’s Error, My Misfortune” — Just a few days ago, I had to purchase an additional airline return ticket to home, from a 2 week holiday located at my favorite peaceful quaint, fresh air island Kauai, Hawaii — My trip was shortened to less than 1 week — The airplane fumes flying to my destination, triggered a full blown fumes attack — Once again, “Honda’s Error, My Misfortune” — Thank you readers and website Comments — Elizabeth Whipple
Sorry to hear you were so badly poisoned by CO, but thank you for posting such a detailed description. As a CO toxicologist, I have observed that your symptoms are both common and easily treated, so long as CO exposure stops first. The goal of treatment is to speed up the excretion of CO from your blood and tissues. Hyperbaric and hi-flow 100% oxygen therapy are not necessary and carry high risk of causing delayed neurological symptoms because they actually push more CO into tissues. I recommend giving blood (if not anemic) and sunbathing as often as possible, which increases the amount of CO your body excretes per hour about 5-fold compared to being in darkness. You can measure this in your exhaled breath with any portable CO detector that displays from zero.
Thanks Albert for your expertise input! — My health took a big hit with what appears to be CO and other hydrocarbon toxins exposure — olfactory nerve damage detected via medical examination even after 8 months of recovery / healing — my immune system, and as well, lung health, has greatly decreased since the 2016 CRV poisoning last September 2016, via toxic hydrocarbon emissions in vehicle cabin — Honda’s error is my misfortune — Interesting enough, just recently, HONDA canada has produced a Safety RECALL regarding the “FUEL FEED PIPE LEAK” of its 2017 CRV — May solutions surface in a manner that is recognized as truthful and healthful for all parties involved — Elizabeth, Red Deer Alberta
I have the same issue with my 2016 CRV. Dealership admits Hinda is aware of this issue but says there is no fix. The smell is so strong it has made us sick and given us headaches. I’m afraid to drive it,afraid it will explode.
My family is having the same problem with our 2016 CRV and they too aren’t doing anything. They say they haven’t gotten the piece they need yet but it has been 4 months. 4 MONTHS! How do they not have one piece for 4 MONTHS?!? They keep saying they’ll fix it but they won’t! Our first Honda had no problems and I am very disappointed by the lack of responsibility and the quality.
I have a 2016 CRV with the same strong fuel smell. The fumes fill the garage so much that it requires airing out before starting anything. We do not park it in the garage anymore.
The Honda dealership said they COULD duplicate the smell with NO issues or problems noted! Made sure they gave me a written service order because they were just going to hand my keys back to me with NO documentation.
Called American Honda to start a case and they gave me the run-around as well. No loaner, No fix, Engineers investigating and no fix in sight. The Honda representative also agreed with me that he would not park it in his garage either.
I think we need to join this lawsuit or unfortunately, lawyer up.
I purchased a 2016 Honda CRV in September 2016 and have noticed a gas smell in the cabin. At first I thought it maybe coming from another vehicle on the road but I also experience it when I start my car and when car is idling in park. I have taken it to the dealership twice and both times I was told that they checked and were unable to duplicate the smell.The smell is most noticeable when the heat/ax is on and the smell will make you feel nauseous and give you a headache. Very frustrated.
I just bought a used 2014 CRV and having the same issue. It’s unbelievable how much gas we smell when first starting the car. I am bringing to the dealer tomorrow.
Westbrook Honda CT checked for odor, said nothing was found and clearly didn’t seem to care about my concern of strong gas odor. Not sure what to do next.
Have the same issue 2016 CRV. Horrible smell at random times in the cabin. want to join lawsuit, dealers cant find problem!