Tag: Honda

By: Nicole Halavi

Recently, Honda was forced to pay out $5 million to settle allegations that the automaker failed to properly handle the deadly Takata airbags installed in 2001-2016 Honda vehicles. Reports show that most of the deaths from the exploding airbag inflators occurred in Honda vehicles, the last known death occurring in August 2020 after the Arizona driver of a 2002 Honda Civic was killed by shrapnel from the fractured airbag inflator.

Officials say that around 40,000 defective Takata airbags are still in vehicles on the road because many owners have yet to take their cars to the dealer for a free airbag inflator replacement. The settlement may award up to $2.1 million in gift cards to those drivers who haven’t had their Takata airbags replaced. The gift cards are essentially being used as an incentive to get these drivers to take their cars to the dealer for repairs.

The suit also alleges that Honda should have warned consumers about the defective airbags by September 2012, however the automaker did not do so until November 2015. Thus, because Arizona drivers have ignored the recall notices sent out over the last 5 years, Honda must dish out upwards of $2 million. The automaker will mail out $150 gift cards to owners of vehicles equipped with Alpha inflators, and $50 gift cards to owners of vehicles equipped with non-Alpha inflators.

Honda must also pay $650,000 to continue informing consumers of the recall and to encourage drivers to get their defective airbags replaced. The automaker is also obligated to pay $100,000 to Arizona for other outreach efforts and $500,000 as payment to the State. Lastly, Honda must pay restitution to more than 15,000 Arizona consumers who purchased a Honda or Acura vehicle equipped with these defective Takata airbags between September 2012 and November 2015.

What Can I Do if My Honda is Equipped With a Takata Airbag?

If you are driving a Honda equipped with a Takata airbag that is exhibiting any of the above-mentioned issues, California’s lemon laws are here to protect you and prevent any further complications. The attorneys at CCA are very knowledgeable about the defective Takata airbags in Honda vehicles discussed above and will work with you to fight back against the automaker.

Please do not hesitate to call CCA today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM. We’ll get you the compensation you deserve – and at no cost to you!

By: Michael H. Rosenstein

Honda is a Japanese automobile brand primarily known for manufacturing cars, motorcycles, and power equipment. The brand rose to success in the 70’s because of its wide selection of efficient models ranging from hatchbacks, compact cars, sedans, hybrids, minivans, sports utility vehicles, trucks, and more. More recently, Honda (including its luxury line, Acura) has attracted attention for manufacturing vehicles with faulty and dangerous fuel pumps. After many complaints from users regarding several models, Honda underwent various investigations, which resulted in a fuel pump recall of nearly 1.4 million vehicles, almost 140,000 being from the U.S, and approximately 10,000 from Canada. 

If your Honda model has fuel pump defects or is showing signs of any serious issues, CCA is here to help. We invite you to call our experts today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM.

What are the Fuel Pump Defects in Honda Vehicles?

Some of the Honda and Acura models that have been afflicted by faulty fuel pumps include:

• • 2018-2019 Acura NSX
  • 2019 Acura RLX and Acura RDX
  • 2019 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid
  • 2018-2019 Honda Accord
  • 2018-2019 Honda Civic Type R
  • 2018-2019 Honda Civic Hatchback
  • 2018-2019 Honda HR-V
  • 2019 Honda Fit
  • 2019-2020 Honda Insight

A working fuel pump is essential for the proper functioning of any vehicle. All modern cars with internal combustion engines are equipped with fuel pumps. It is a significant component responsible for carrying fuel from the gas tank and delivering it to the engine at appropriate pressures to meet adequate performance demands.

A defective fuel pump can result in several problems, such as vehicle no-starts and vehicle stalls. Hence, it is crucial to detect and repair a faulty fuel pump at an early stage. Some of the common symptoms of a defected fuel pump are:

• • Vehicle Stalling;
  • Vehicle No-Starts;
  • Loud whining noises from the tank (soft, quiet hums are normal; however, a loud whine is a sign of a deeper issue).
  • Decreased power and fuel efficiency.
  • Experiencing jerks or sputters at high speeds.

Investigations have revealed that the fuel pump issues in Honda models might be due to over-absorption of fuel by the impellers, which causes them to crack, deform, and fail eventually. A user of the Honda Accord 2018 explained the issue: “The vehicle has developed excessive gas/oil smell halfway through the oil change cycle even when the maintenance minder shows 70% oil life. The smell occurs when driving in the Midwest and causes the garage to smell like an oil/gas mixture. Oil dilution has begun occurring even when provided enough time to warm up.”

Another user said, “When going around a corner and the switch from electric to gas (hybrid vehicle) occurs, the car seems to stall and consequently loses speed for a second or two. This happens when starting from a stop and at highway speeds.”

What Can I Do if my Honda Vehicle is Subject to any Repeated Issues?

Get in touch with our team if you have been noticing any signs of the fuel pump failures discussed above, such as stalls, starting difficulties, unusual sounds from the fuel tank, or need any legal advice regarding the upcoming Honda/Acura recall. If you have experienced multiple repairs, CAA is equipped with experienced lawyers ready to help you find a viable solution to your problem. Feel free to reach out to us for a consultation regarding your vehicle.

Contact our experts for a free consultation at (833) LEMON-FIRM.