Honda is currently defending a broad slate of class action lawsuits in U.S. courts covering engine failures, transmission and steering problems, a drive axle defect in its new electric SUV, and paint and fee disputes, while several older cases have produced settlements or verdicts owners can still act on. The largest live claims target the 3.5-liter V6 and the 1.5-liter turbo engines. Settlements with open or recently closed claim windows involve the Automatic Idle Stop feature, Denso fuel pumps, and infotainment systems. Below is where each Honda class action lawsuit stands as of mid-2026 and which vehicles it covers.
3.5-Liter V6 Engine Failure Lawsuit
The newest and largest engine case is Messenger v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., et al. (Case No. 2:26-cv-00295), filed in January 2026 in the Central District of California. The complaint alleges that Honda built crankshaft components out of specification, causing accelerated bearing wear, rod knock, stalling, overheating, and in severe cases full engine seizure. The named plaintiff’s 2016 Pilot failed at about 76,000 miles, and a dealer quoted nearly $12,000 for a replacement engine.1CarScoops. Honda V6 Engine Lawsuit Recall Questions
The lawsuit covers a wide model range equipped with the 3.5-liter V6:
- 2016–2022 Honda Pilot
- 2017–2026 Honda Ridgeline
- 2018–2026 Honda Odyssey
- 2019–2025 Honda Passport
- 2014–2020 Acura RLX
- 2015–2020 Acura TLX
- 2016–2020 and 2022–2026 Acura MDX
According to the complaint, Honda’s November 2023 recall addressed only a portion of affected vehicles, and even repaired vehicles remain at risk. The claims include breach of warranty, fraudulent omission, and state consumer protection violations.2AboutLawsuits.com. Honda Class Action Lawsuit Recall Engine Defect3Law360. Savannah Messenger v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Et Al
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened preliminary evaluation PE25008 in August 2025, covering roughly 1.4 million vehicles with the same engine and finding the bearing failures fell outside the scope of Honda’s earlier recall.4NHTSA. Investigation INOA-PE25008
1.5-Liter Turbo Head Gasket and Oil Dilution Lawsuits
Two overlapping problems have driven class actions against Honda’s 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder, used in the Civic, CR-V, and Accord.
The head gasket case, Bissell v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Case No. 3:24-cv-02286), was filed in December 2024 in the Southern District of California. It alleges that coolant seeps into grooves on the cylinder head, degrading the head gasket until coolant leaks into the combustion chambers. Owners report overheating, misfires, power loss, and oil contamination. Covered vehicles are 2016–2022 Civics, 2017–2022 CR-Vs, and 2018–2022 Accords with the 1.5-liter turbo.5ClassAction.org. Bissell v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Et Al
A broader follow-up case, Alcantara, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc., et al. (Case No. 2:25-cv-06009), was filed in July 2025 and later transferred to the Southern District of California to proceed alongside Bissell. Alcantara expands the claims to include the 2.0-liter turbo and adds the Acura RDX and TLX.6Top Class Actions. Honda Class Action Alleges Defective Turbocharged Engines7PACER Monitor. Radley Alcantara Et Al v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Et Al
A separate, older matter over the same engine alleges fuel contaminating engine oil. It was filed in October 2022 in the Northern District of Illinois and transferred to the District of Minnesota in January 2023 for consolidation with a related action. It remains in active discovery and covers newer Civic, CR-V, and Accord models with the 1.5-liter turbo.8ClassAction.org. American Honda Motor Company, Inc. Class Action Lawsuits
Nine-Speed Transmission Class Action
Moore et al. v. American Honda Motor Co. et al. (Case No. 3:23-cv-05011), filed in September 2023, targets the ZF nine-speed automatic transmission. The complaint alleges a programming defect that produces rough or delayed shifts, sudden harsh acceleration or deceleration, loud shifting noises, and sudden power loss. Honda issued technical service bulletins but never a recall or warranty extension, and dealer software updates only masked the symptoms, according to the plaintiffs.9ClassAction.org. Honda Transmission Problems Lawsuit
Covered vehicles include 2016–2022 Pilots, 2018–2019 Odysseys, 2019-and-later Passports, and 2020-and-later Ridgelines. The case remains pending with no reported ruling or settlement.
Honda Prologue Front Drive Axle Class Action
Honda’s first mass-market electric SUV is already in court. Custer, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Case No. 2:26-cv-01330-KSM) was filed on March 2, 2026, in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Plaintiffs allege that the front drive axles in 2024–2026 Prologues contain internal joint irregularities or degradation that produce clicking or ratcheting during turns, impair steering, and worsen over time.10ClassAction.org. Honda Prologue Complaint
The complaint alleges Honda knew about the problem before selling the vehicles, citing an internal Tech Line publication sent to dealers, and that dealers have been replacing failed axles with identical parts that subsequently fail again. The plaintiffs are seeking damages, a recall, and replacement with redesigned parts.11Lemberg Law. Custer v. American Honda Motor Co.
Civic Sticky Steering Lawsuit
Burgos v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Case No. 2:23-cv-02128-AB-SK), filed in March 2023 in the Central District of California, alleges that an improperly manufactured steering gearbox worm wheel can swell, creating friction that makes steering feel sticky and causes unexpected loss of maneuverability.12Hagens Berman. Honda Civic Electronic Power Steering EPS Defect
Honda later issued NHTSA Recall 24V-744 covering approximately 1.7 million 2022–2025 Civics, and NHTSA closed its own investigation after the recall. The class action continues, with an amended complaint and a motion-to-dismiss hearing scheduled for no earlier than June 2026.13Lemon Law Help. Honda Sticky Steering EPS Recall Information
Phantom Braking Trial — Jury Verdict for Honda
The long-running class action over Honda’s Collision Mitigation Braking System reached trial in 2026. Cadena, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Case No. CV 18-4007-MWF) alleged that the system in 2017–2019 CR-Vs and 2018–2020 Accords caused the vehicles to brake without warning when there was no collision risk. The certified class covered more than 100,000 drivers in eight states.14HondaCMBSClassAction.com. Honda CMBS Class Action
On March 31, 2026, a jury in the Central District of California returned a verdict in Honda’s favor, finding the system not legally defective. Honda has filed a renewed motion for judgment as a matter of law, and post-trial proceedings are continuing.15CarComplaints.com. Honda Wins Phantom Braking Lawsuit Trial
Idle Stop Settlement — Claims Window Opening
In re Honda Idle Stop Litigation (Case No. 2:22-cv-04252-MCS-SK) has reached a settlement covering vehicles equipped with a NP0 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Automatic Idle Stop feature:
- 2015–2020 Acura TLX
- 2016–2020 Acura MDX
- 2016–2021 Honda Pilot
- 2019–2021 Honda Passport
- 2020–2021 Honda Ridgeline
Honda agreed to revise its service bulletins so owners no longer need to reproduce the malfunction at a dealership to get repairs. The deal also extends warranty coverage for valve adjustments and starter replacements by up to 24 months on certain 2015 model year vehicles and 18 months on certain 2016 models. Owners who paid out of pocket for starter replacements, starter relay repairs, valve adjustments, or related towing can seek reimbursement.16Settlement-Claims.com. In Re Honda Idle Stop Litigation Settlement
Preliminary approval was granted on July 28, 2025, and the court may enter a final approval order as early as May 18, 2026. Claims for past expenses must be submitted within 90 days of final approval. Filings can be made at AutoIdleStopSettlement.com or mailed to the claims administrator at PO Box 2718, Torrance, CA 90509.17Settlement-Claims.com. In Re Honda Idle Stop Long Form Notice
Fuel Pump Settlement — Proposed
A proposed settlement in Oliver v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc., et al. (Case No. 5:20-cv-00666, Northern District of Alabama) addresses claims that defective plastic impellers in Denso-manufactured fuel pumps caused stalling and hesitation in an estimated 6.2 million Honda vehicles. Proposed terms include a fuel pump warranty extension to 15 years or 150,000 miles, reimbursement of prior out-of-pocket repairs, and free loaner vehicles during repairs. Vehicles beyond the mileage limit would still get 90 days of coverage after final approval.18Top Class Actions. Honda to Settle Fuel Pump Class Action With Extended Warranties
The case has been pending six years, and available court records through early 2026 do not confirm final approval.19CourtListener. Oliver v. Honda Motor Company Limited
Infotainment Settlement — Claims Deadline Passed
Conti v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Case No. 2:19-cv-02160-CJC-GJS) resolved in January 2022 with a settlement valued at more than $33 million. It covered infotainment systems in roughly 450,000 vehicles, specifically 2018–2019 Odysseys, 2019 Pilots, and 2019 Passports at specific trims. Benefits included direct payments, reimbursement of repair expenses, free HondaLink or SiriusXM service depending on trim, and an extended warranty of five years or 60,000 miles.20Hagens Berman. Honda Infotainment Issue Class Action Lawsuit21Settlement-Claims.com. Conti v. American Honda Motor Co. Settlement
The claim filing deadline was March 5, 2022, and has passed. The extended warranty applied automatically to eligible owners regardless of whether they filed.
VTC Actuator — Appeal Resolved
Litigation over defective variable timing control actuators in older Honda four-cylinder vehicles is largely finished. In Quackenbush, et al. v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc., a jury found that an Illinois repair class was damaged by the defect but rejected claims by an Illinois new and used purchaser class, and returned a verdict for Honda on a California purchaser class. In May 2025, the Ninth Circuit affirmed those results and upheld roughly $1.2 million in attorney fees to plaintiffs’ counsel. Covered models were 2012 Accords, 2012–2014 CR-Vs, and 2012–2015 Crosstours.22CarComplaints.com. Honda VTC Actuator Noise Lawsuit Verdict
A separate, newer complaint over the same defect, Larson et al. v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Case No. 3:23-cv-01238), was filed in July 2023 and has not reached a resolution.23ClassAction.org. Class Action Filed Over Alleged VTC Actuator Defect
White Paint Case — Dismissed With Leave to Refile
Clemmens et al. v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Case No. 2:24-cv-09728), filed in November 2024, alleged peeling, bubbling, and delaminating white paint on 2013-and-later Acura MDX, Honda Odyssey, Pilot, Fit, and HR-V models. On July 25, 2025, Judge Otis D. Wright II dismissed the case, ruling the alleged defects were aesthetic and did not affect the vehicles’ central transportation function. The judge allowed the plaintiffs to amend and refile and accepted that Honda’s internal service bulletins on paint problems in other models could support an inference of knowledge.24CarComplaints.com. Honda White Paint Lawsuit Dismissed
Destination Fees — Sent to Arbitration
Harmon et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (Case No. 1:22-cv-06150, District of New Jersey) alleged that Honda deceptively inflated destination and handling fees. In July 2023, Judge Christine P. O’Hearn granted Honda’s motion to compel arbitration, finding the arbitration clauses in the buyers’ and lessees’ agreements enforceable. Court proceedings were stayed pending arbitration, meaning affected owners cannot proceed as a class in that court.25Justia. Harmon v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Related Actions Outside the Class Action Track
Two significant Honda matters are not consumer class actions but come up alongside them.
In January 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered American Honda Finance Corporation to pay $12.8 million for violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the Consumer Financial Protection Act. The CFPB found that Honda Finance reported borrowers as delinquent during the COVID-19 pandemic despite offering payment deferrals and promising to report the accounts as current, and that the company failed to maintain reasonable data-accuracy policies or investigate consumer disputes on time. Of the $12.8 million, $10.3 million was set aside for consumer redress and $2.5 million as a civil penalty.26CFPB. American Honda Finance Corporation Enforcement Action
Separately, the Takata airbag scandal that led to the recall of 12.9 million Honda and Acura vehicles was resolved through an $85 million multistate settlement with 48 states and the District of Columbia in August 2020, along with a separate class action that reimbursed owners for damages or out-of-pocket airbag replacement costs. Those consumer claim windows have long closed.27New York Attorney General. Attorney General James Announces $85 Million Multistate Settlement With Honda
What to Do If Your Vehicle Is Covered
If your Honda or Acura is on one of the covered model lists above, keep repair invoices, dealer diagnostic reports, and any correspondence with Honda customer service. For the Idle Stop settlement, watch for the final approval order and file within the 90-day window at AutoIdleStopSettlement.com. For active cases such as the 3.5-liter V6 engine, 1.5-liter turbo, nine-speed transmission, Prologue axle, and Civic steering lawsuits, no claim form yet exists; documentation preserved now is what supports a later claim if a class is certified or a settlement is reached.