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
7/29/2019 I have just had to have the started replaced on my 2015 Honda Accord that only has 43,000 miles and had to pay of pocket.
I checked about to find the best deal and was told by the dealership that they did not recommend after market parts because of the lack of dependable longevity. I explained I wasn’t too impressed with the longevity of the original part that they installed in the car when it was made so if they claim nothing is wrong with the part why would I put another one of their FACTORY parts on it only to have it happen again, or have they fixed the problem on the new installs and it shouldn’t happen again. They just don’t want to pay for a recall!! I would hate to see such a big corporation do the RIGHT thing!
7/29/2019 I have just had to have the started replaced on my 2015 Honda Accord that only has 43,000 miles and had to pay of pocket.
I checked about to find the best deal and was told by the dealership that they did not recommend after market parts because of the lack of dependable longevity. I explained I wasn’t too impressed with the longevity of the original part that they installed in the car when it was made so if they claim nothing is wrong with the part why would I put another one of their FACTORY parts on it only to have it happen again, or have they fixed the problem on the new installs and it shouldn’t happen again. They just don’t want to pay for a recall!! I would had to see such a big corporation do the RIGHT thing!
want to be a part of any lawsuit!!!
I would like to join as well! 2013 Accord, stranded, say it’s the starter. $660 plus the tow later. Disappointing reading all of the same complaints, seriously Honda is not going to stand behind their product? I have 2 daughters that need cars, do you think I can put them in a Honda? Heck no! And I am a Honda girl, love the cars I have had. If they aren’t reliable anymore I will have to find a new favorite car. Sad
2014 honda accord start problem totally bad , spent so much money changed starter ($12000 and again starter problem , every 6 months problem comes, this is totally bad on honda company, hond should recall and pay the money
How do I join this suit? My 2015 accord stopped starting about another ago. The charging system is now functioning properly or something. The battery drains to the point I needed a jump or to use jump box. I have had to replace batteries 2x. I have almost lost my job due to lateness this whole thing has caused. I was originally told it was the voltage regulator and that I would need a alternator for $700. Mind you the car only had 45,000 miles on it.
Having same issue with my 2014 Honda Accord Sport. This is ridiculous. Thought I was buying QUALITY!!! How can I be apart of the lawsuit??
i have start problem,honda ccord 2014, every year i am getting start problem, spent so much money , replaced startr in 2016 $1200, changed battries total $2,000 is nay solution for us.
I have a 2015 Honda Accord. The car would not start, no previous warning. It would then start, happened so much I went to Honda . 864. Later had a new starter put in
I wish to be a part of this class action
I have a 2014 Accord Sport CVT that was just diagnosed with a bad started. Local dealer wants $900 (Including taxes and fees) to repair. I’ve owned MANY Hondas (most for 10 years or more) and have NEVER had a starter failure.
I have 2015 Honda CR-V with same issue. Bought brand new from dealership. Was just told I need to pay $650 for a new starter!! This is obviously a manufacturer defect and not wear and tear. Honda needs to own up to the defect and fix under warranty.
I would like to become a part of this lawsuit. I have a 2014 Accord sport with same issues. First noticed around 40,000 miles but Honda didn’t say it was the starter. I have made it by almost 2 years with the starter working off and on now it’s unbearable. Took me 30 minutes to start my car today.
Is it possible to be contacted, or contact for a claim. I just spent 390$ out of pocket because Honda does not acknowledge that the vehicle has issues due to the stater. I have a 2015 Honda Accord LX and only Autozone has assisted in helping me fix my car.