Honda has been ignoring complaints about a defective engine starter, according to the plaintiff in a recent class action lawsuit.
Plaintiff Joel Merkin says the Honda engine starter in certain recent model years of Honda Accords and Crosstours is defective in a way that causes the starter and battery to fail. Once that happens, the vehicle’s engine will not start, potentially leaving drivers and passengers stranded, Merkin claims.
The engine starter is an electric motor that gets the car’s engine spinning when the driver turns the ignition key, until the engine starts and keeps running on its own.
Merkin claims the defendants have known about this Honda engine starter defect for at least four years. Owners have been filing complaints with Honda about the alleged defect, and the company itself has published internal technical bulletins addressing the problem, he claims.
According to this Honda engine starter class action lawsuit, Honda has been refusing owner requests to remedy the engine starter defect under the affected vehicles’ warranties. Merkin says Honda has dismissed warranty claims for this defect by attributing the problems to wear, owner misuse, improper maintenance or lack of maintenance.
When Honda has bothered to fix the defect, Merkin alleges, the company has only replaced the Honda engine starter with a similarly defective starter.
Despite Honda’s alleged knowledge of the defect and the asserted coverage under the manufacturer’s warranty, Merkin says the company has not “recalled the Class Vehicles to repair the Starter Defect, offered its customers a suitable repair or replacement free of charge, or offered to reimburse its customers who have incurred out of pocket expenses to repair the defect.”
Merkin himself is the owner of a pre-owned 2013 Honda Accord. He says that in May 2016, his Accord would fail to start about once a week. The problem got progressively worse, he says, until the vehicle would fail to start five to six times per day.
A local Honda dealer told Merkin the car was no longer under warranty. Merkin had the problem fixed at an out-of- pocket cost of about $200, he claims.
Merkin is proposing to represent a statewide plaintiff Class consisting of all persons in New Jersey who are current or former owners of one of the listed vehicles equipped with the allegedly defective Honda engine starter. He lists these vehicles as the Honda Accord from model years 2013 to 2015 and the Honda Crosstour from model years 2013 to 2015.
He is asking the court to certify his proposed Class and appoint him as Class representative. He seeks a court order requiring Honda to repair, recall or replace the Honda engine starter in affected vehicles. He also seeks an award of damages with pre- and post-judgment interest and reimbursement of court costs and attorneys’ fees.
Merkin’s attorneys are Matthew D. Schelkopf, Joseph G. Sauder and Joseph B. Kenney of McCune Wright Arevalo LLP.
The Honda Engine Starter Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Joel Merkin v. Honda North America Inc., et al., Case No. 3:17-cv-03625, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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454 thoughts onHonda Class Action Says Engine Starter Defect Merits Warranty Coverage
I have a 2010 Accord that is having the EXACT issue. Two weeks after I brought the car in 2012 it left me stranded. Honda said it was the battery, so I purchased a new battery. Seven years later the car has stranded me at least 25 times on and off and I have purchased 4 batteries. The stupid car left me stranded today. I go to people’s homes for a living. Today this car left me in what could have potentially been a life or death situation (getting stranded at the home of an irate client). I’ll never purchase another Honda.
I bought a 2015 Accord Ex it had 35000 miles. Only had it 1.5 years now im having starter issues. Add me to the list.
I have a 2015 Honda Accord with only 47k miles. It just needed a new starter which was $548.89.
9 months ago the struts needed replacement.
I will never buy another Honda.
I am dealing with same issues right now with my 2013 Honda Accord. $ Dealer said it will cost $650.00 to get it repaired. Schedule an appointment for this morning it had to cancel because of the ridiculous amount that I will be charged. I know so many others with these same model cars who are either dealing with or have delt with this issue. So frustrating when you need your vehicle.
Yep, my 2014 Honda Accord is having starting issues to & is getting progressively worse. Will be going to the dealer soon. Gratefully I have an extended warranty.
My 2014 honda accord is at my mechanics right now getting a starter replacement. Only 60,000 miles. My two odysseys went 200,000 miles and never replaced the starters.
My 2014 Honda Accord Lx is having issues starting. Please add me to the lawsuit. It only has 50,000 miles. Autozone checked the battery, alternator, and starter apparently they were okay. Today I was having trouble starting it. It just makes a clicking sound bout won’t start. Very frustrating.
I had to replace the starter motor on my 2013 Honda Accord with just 30K miles on it. Add me to the suit.
I had to replace my starter on my 2015 Honda Accord in June 2019. Add me to the suit you
My 2015 Honda Accord has starting problem recently. It would not start when I turn the key. I had to try several time and it could start.
I read so many complaints online. Honda MUST face the problem.