Honda to settle fuel pump class action with extended warranties

Honda class action settlement overview:

• Who: Plaintiff Tucker Oliver and a proposed class reached a settlement with American Honda Motor Co. Inc. and Denso International America Inc.
• Why: Plaintiffs claim Honda sold vehicles with defective fuel pumps that could cause stalling and safety risks.
• Where: The proposed class action settlement was filed in Alabama federal court.

A proposed class action settlement aims to resolve a long-running lawsuit alleging Honda sold millions of vehicles equipped with defective fuel pumps that could cause engines to stall while driving.

Plaintiff Tucker Oliver filed the class action lawsuit claiming certain Honda vehicles contained Denso-made fuel pumps with defective plastic impellers that could warp over time under normal operating conditions.

According to the Honda class action lawsuit, the alleged defect could cause vehicles to hesitate, stall or fail to start, posing potential safety risks to drivers and passengers. The issue prompted a recall in April 2020 shortly before the lawsuit was filed.

The proposed settlement would cover all U.S. owners and lessees of affected Honda vehicles, including approximately 3.2 million vehicles previously subject to recalls and an additional 3 million vehicles not previously recalled.

The class action lawsuit alleges Honda knowingly sold vehicles with defective components and failed to adequately address the issue before consumers experienced problems.

Honda settlement would reimburse costs on top of warranty extensions

Under the proposed settlement, Honda would extend warranty coverage for affected fuel pumps to 15 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Vehicles that are already outside that time or mileage limit would still be eligible for warranty coverage for up to 90 days after final approval of the settlement. Replacement fuel pumps installed during that period would be covered by a one-year warranty.

The agreement also provides reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses related to fuel pump repairs incurred before the settlement’s final approval.

In addition, Honda would offer free loaner vehicles to class members who need transportation while their vehicles are undergoing repairs under the extended warranty.

Plaintiffs say the Honda settlement provides meaningful relief while avoiding the risks and delays of continued litigation. The case has been pending for six years and was consolidated with similar lawsuits alleging the same defect.

Similar settlements were also reached with other automakers includingToyota and Mazda. Meanwhile, Hyundai and Kia are facing a class action lawsuit alleging they knowingly sold vehicles with defective fuel systems that can lead to engine problems.

Have you experienced fuel pump issues with a Honda vehicle? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiffs are represented by W. Daniel “Dee” Miles III, Demet Basar, H. Clay Barnett III, J. Mitch Williams, Dylan T. Martin and Rebecca D. Gilliland of Beasley Allen Law Firm; Adam J. Levitt, John E. Tangren and Daniel R. Ferri of DiCello Levitt LLP; Christopher A. Seeger of Seeger Weiss LLP; Timothy G. Blood of Blood Hurst & O’Reardon LLP; and James E. Cecchi, Caroline F. Bartlett and Zachary S. Bower of Carella Byrne Cecchi Olstein Brody & Agnello.

The Honda class action lawsuit is Oliver v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc., et al., Case No. 5:20-cv-00666, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

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