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.
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING
Top Class Actions is a Proud Member of the American Bar Association
LEGAL INFORMATION IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE
Top Class Actions Legal Statement
©2008 – 2024 Top Class Actions® LLC
Various Trademarks held by their respective owners
This website is not intended for viewing or usage by European Union citizens.
454 thoughts onHonda Class Action Says Engine Starter Defect Merits Warranty Coverage
Add mine to the list! 39,000 miles
And the starter needs replaced. 2013 Honda Accord. Not happy I’ve been a loyal Honda owner for years.
Us too. Cost $790 to replace at Honda said they had to remove axle. What a PIA
Add me to the list my replaced my starter was having the same issue!
I have My Honda Accord 2014 having same issue which is starting issues i want to join the law suit against Honda . Now i have to pay from My pocket almost 1000$ , i also replaced battery but problem is not battery.
Count me in. 2014 Honda Accord with 42000 miles. Starter has been going out for a month now. Going to replace it this weekend.
Class action lawsuit looks like the answer since Honda will not address the defect.
In 2017 I bought a 2014 Honda Accord Sport. I made the decision to purchase the brand because I wanted to have a more reliable car. It’s ironic that my starter had to be replaced after 60,000 miles. Honda dropped the ball on this one, add me to the suit!
Currently sitting at Honda dealing with this issue on my 2015 Accord Sport. Please add me to this class action suit!
Is this legitimate top class action for Bad recalls for Honda?
Add us too please. No warranty, no support from Honda. About to repair again.
2014 honda accord, Same problem. payed over 900 for the repair and labor in south florida. 30,000 miles! please add me to this.
My 2013 Crosstour has had starter issues for over a year; spinning every so often, then weekly, now almost daily. I called the dealership and they told me it is not covered, although I see many others have the issue and Honda is ignoring it. I’m furious that they are neglecting an issue that is bigger than just me, and expecting me to pay out of pocket to remedy their error.
2015 Accord 3.5L with 64k miles. Starter spins every other attempt to start. Just ordered OEM Honda replacement starter @ $400+. Will install and perform recommended TSB(it appears that is a must). Something must be done. I went through the transmission issue back in ‘03. I’m done with Honda.
Please add me to list.
Thank you!