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
Having same issues on my 2015 Honda Accord that I purchased brand new. I am still paying for this vehicle and the cost to repair is a struggle especially when we don’t know what to repair. I will never buy another Honda.
Having starter issues as well
I have a 2014 Honda Accord sport
I have problems with 2015 Honda Accord starter
Currently experiencing starter issues as well. Been stranded for 3 hours and waiting for a tow. I would love to be part of a class action for this issue.
I have the same issue with my 2013 Accord. First it was the battery that needed replacing after 3 years that caused the issue. Then the car was fine for a few year or little more. Then it began taking several attempts to start. NOW I have to make MANY attempts to TRY to get it to start.
How do I join the lawsuit? Every single day I struggle with starting my 2014 Honda Accord. I have been stranded so many times until I Managed to get it started. I have had to change the starter and the alternator. Plus the battery as well. I don’t know how long my car will last and I’m sure it will continue to get progressively worse. Isn’t there anything we can do?
Same Problem. Just replaced starter today on my 2014 Accord. Same evening car did not start on 2 occasions. how do I join the class action lawsuit?
I’m having the same problem. I bought my 2014 Honda Accord new and I needed a battery after 3 years and approximately 124,000 miles. Now the car is 5 years old with 40,000 miles and I need a starter. Ridiculous! It’s costing me $860.00 parts and labor. I don’t know that I would buy another Honda.
I bought a brand new 2014 honda accord touring. Started to have issues with the starter a month ago at 36500 miles. The car would not start after multiple attempts. Add me to the suit.
Bought a brand new 2015 Accord to have a hassle free car. Boy was I wrong. I have had issues for a couple years that has now become progressively worse. Please keep me posted.