Category: Honda

Safety defects in the 2016-2020 Acura MDX and RDX Models

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By: Sepehr Daghighian

The Acura MDX and Acura RDX are two of the best-selling luxury SUV crossovers in the market. In Fact, The Acura MDX is ranked #4 in the Luxury Midsize SUV category by the U.S. News & World Report. These SUVs have been manufactured and produced by the Japanese automaker, Honda, since the year 2000. They are popularly known for their style, comfort, ride and value. However, over the years, customers have expressed their concerns over the safety aspects of both the Acura MDX and the RDX models. Several defective aspects of the vehicle, such as acceleration issues, engine stalling and more, have been brought into the limelight. Due to such predominant problems, these two models have faced several hurdles and large number of lemon law lawsuits over the past few years.

If your Acura MDX or RDX has suffered any serious issues or warranty concerns, CCA is here to help. We invite you to call our experts today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM.

What Are the Common Safety Defects in the Acura MDX and RDX models?

The Acura MDX and the Acura RDX have both been subject to widespread defects, performance issues, and customer complaints over the past several years. These models have also faced numerous law suits and investigations conducted by the NHTSA. Most of the complaints are regarding acceleration defects, transmission shifts, engine stalls and loss of power.

According to a recent class action suit filed against the Honda motors, The Acura MDX and RDX 2016-2020 models have been subject to potentially dangerous acceleration defects. Users have complained that, at times, the vehicle decelerates, stalls and shuts down without any warning. A user described the issue, “Among the numerous other issues that I have been experiencing with this vehicle, it began to stall upon acceleration earlier this year. This can happen when pulling off after being stopped or even while driving in the 30-45 mph range. You can also see a noticeable fluctuation in the RPM dial. I took it into the dealership, yet the issue remains ongoing.”

The Acura models faced another class action law suit alleging the unexplained loss of power at random times. The plaintiff stated that the first deceleration event occurred while she was changing lanes, she also mentions that the electronics and air conditioning continued to function as the vehicle decelerated.

Another user complaint stated, “On light acceleration from a stoplight, car sometimes stalls for a second, then suddenly lurches forward in a low gear. Sometimes just leaps forward from stop with no hesitation. Causes passengers’ heads to snap back and could be dangerous in heavy traffic. Can occur at operating temperature. When engine is cold, there is a lot of part throttle hesitation low speeds.”

Transmission shift problem is another major complaint received against these SUV models. According to the plaintiff of another class action suit, there are miscommunications between the software that controls the transmissions, engines and the throttle. This results in unexplained shudders and stalls during gear shifts. An MDX owner described the issue as follows, “Transmission is shuddering between 3rd and 4th, and 4th and 5th when going easy on the gas between 1500 and 2000 rpm. Dealer cannot find the problem.”

Here is a partial list of the recent models that are known to have one or the other safety defects discussed above:

  • 2016 Acura MDX and RDX
  • 2017 Acura MDX and RDX
  • 2018 Acura MDX and RDX
  • 2019 Acura MDX and RDX
  • 2020 Acura MDX and RDX

What Can I Do if My Acura MDX or RDX Models are Facing Any of These Issues?

If you are facing any trouble with your luxury SUV such as stalling, loss of power, acceleration defects, transmission shifts or other aggravating issues, California’s lemon laws are here to protect you and your vehicle. Our attorneys have developed a strong expertise in handling such cases and are thorough with the issues plaguing the Acura MDX and RDX models.

If you are facing any performance issues with your vehicle, do not hesitate to contact our experts for a free consultation at (833) LEMON-FIRM.

Common Honda Accord Problems

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By Jim Martinez, PC

The Honda Accord has long been ubiquitous on California roadways. Generally held to be the premier model of one of the automotive industries more reliable manufacturers, the Accord is not without its issues – particularly electrical and engine issues in 2013-2018 models. 

Common issues within the 2013-2018 Honda Accords are related to the starter failing soon after the basic 3-year/36,000 warranty expires. The most widely reported issue with the starter manifest in intermittent “no-starts,” sometimes requiring the driver to repeatedly press the Start Engine button before the vehicle would start – if the vehicle started at all. Accord owners and lessors report a clicking noise or flickering dash lights during these no-start episodes. However, Honda authorized technicians (dealership technicians) are often unable to duplicate the no-start issues due to the defect’s unreliable nature, and as such often do not repair the issue. 

The consumer is charged for a replacement starter and the labor required to install it, costing the consumer close to $1,000 per repair if not covered under warranty or covered by the manufacturer. In other instances, the consumer may be charged for a repair diagnosis, even if the Honda trained technicians are unable to verify the consumer’s concern, in effect being charged over $100.00 and leaving in the same position as before. Still worse, even though Honda Motor America is aware of their starter issues, the problem is often misdiagnosed by dealership technicians or service advisors, who may recommend replacing the vehicle’s battery – again, often at a cost to the consumer if the vehicle is out of warranty.

Other Accord owners and lessees, particularly with the 2018 Honda Accord, have reported that the auto-braking feature engages for no apparent reason while the vehicle is in operation, sometimes for seconds at a time. 2018 Honda Accord owners have also reported excessive pulsation and shuddering in the brakes when applied at highway speeds. At the risk of stating the obvious, both of these issues pose serious safety risks for Accord drivers and their fellow motorists. Accord drivers must rely on other drivers’ quick reaction times in order to avoid collisions that the drivers themselves could not be blamed for.

Still, other issues owners and lessees of 2018 Honda Accords have reported include premature daytime light burnout and headlight failure. Repairing this problem is not as simple as merely changing a lightbulb. Rather, the repair often requires the replacement of the entire headlight unit, at a cost of over $1,000 to the consumer if the defect manifests when the vehicle is out of warranty. Moreover, drivers report subsequent headlight failures of the same headlight unit, or both, again sticking the consumer with high out-of-pocket costs, to say nothing of the inconvenience of presenting the vehicle to a Honda dealership and waiting for your vehicle to be suitable to drive once again. 

While the problems with the Honda Accord’s starter, braking, and headlight issues have since been extensively documented, the general public was unaware of the issues which plagued the vehicles at the time the vehicles were made available for sale – and for a significant period of time thereafter. However, on multiple Honda internet forums, as well as on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, drivers of 2013-2018 Honda Accords lodged extensive complaints, cataloging their frustrations over these common defects. In an attempt to address customers’ widespread dissatisfaction with the starter defect, Honda issued Technical Service Bulletins (“TSB”) instructing Honda authorized technicians on myriad Band-Aid fixes that do not address the primary concern – including mere battery replacement – which in most cases only temporarily alleviate the concerns.  

Fortunately, California Consumer Attorneys can help. Our attorneys and automotive experts are well-versed in all manner of vehicle defects and would love to assist owners/lessees of 2013-2018 Honda Accords. Please call us today to learn about how CCA can assist you – at no charge: (833) LEMON-FIRM.