Class Action Takes Aim at Honda for Defective Auto Idle-Stop Feature

DiCello Levitt represents consumers in a group of class action lawsuits against Honda for selling and leasing certain Honda and Acura models that suffer from a dangerous defect that can cause their engines to stall while idling, putting the vehicles’ drivers and other motorists at risk of serious injury and death.

The affected vehicles—which include certain model year 2015–2023 Honda Pilot, Honda Odyssey, Honda Passport, Honda Ridgeline, Acura TLX, and Acura MDX vehicles—are designed with an automatic idle-stop feature that is intended to increase fuel efficiency by automatically shutting off the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. When working properly, the system restarts the engine when the brake pedal is released or when the vehicle sits with auxiliary systems—like the HVAC and entertainment systems—running for an extended period. However, in the affected vehicles, the idle-stop system can fail to restart the engine when the driver releases the brake pedal, suddenly and unexpectedly leaving the vehicle inoperable and undriveable wherever it comes to a stop—whether at a red light or stop sign, in the middle of a busy intersection, or on a highway entrance ramp. Despite knowing about the idle-stop system defect for many years, Honda has continued to sell vehicles with the idle-stop feature and has even promoted their safety as a key benefit.

DiCello Levitt has extensive experience in automotive defect class actions and a proven track record securing substantial recoveries for victims in wrongful mass tort cases. Our team of skilled attorneys seeks to hold Honda accountable for the damages the company has caused.