Honda Class Action Lawsuit Claims Recall Did Not Fully Address Engine Defect

Lawsuit centers on a 2023 Honda recall impacting about 250,000 vehicles, due to defective crankshaft components that can lead to sudden engine failure.

A class action lawsuit alleges that a Honda engine recall failed to fix a dangerous defect that is known to increase the risk of sudden engine failure, leaving drivers at risk of stalling, fires and costly repairs.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Savannah Messenger in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on January 12, on behalf of drivers nationwide who own or lease certain Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine.

Messenger names American Honda Motor Co. Inc. and Honda Motor Company Limited as the defendants, claiming the companies knew for years that the affected engines were prone to premature internal failure, and issued only a limited recall that did not correct the underlying defect.

As a result, the lawsuit indicates that certain Honda vehicles may experience abnormal engine noise, loss of power, stalling, overheating and, in some cases, catastrophic engine failure while driving, creating a risk of crashes or fires.

According to Messenger’s complaint, Honda issued a recall for a quarter million vehicles in November 2023, which was later updated in 2024, due to an improperly manufactured crank pin. The company acknowledged certain vehicles contained crankshaft components that were manufactured out of specification, leading to increased friction, accelerated bearing wear and the potential for engine seizure.

The crankshaft is a key internal engine component that converts the pistons’ up-and-down movement into rotational motion, allowing power to be delivered to the drivetrain. The crank pin, also known as a rod journal, is the rounded, offset section of the crankshaft where the connecting rod attaches.

The lawsuit identifies several specific Honda and Acura models equipped with the 3.5-liter V6 engine that were included in, or affected by, the crankshaft recall, including:

• 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

Messenger alleges that many vehicles outside the recall’s VIN range continue to experience the same failure symptoms, despite being built with the same engine components.

She claims the recall covered only a fraction of the vehicles experiencing the engine failure problems, and did not address broader design and manufacturing defects affecting the engine’s rotating assembly. As a result, the lawsuit alleges many drivers were denied repairs or reimbursement because their vehicle identification numbers were excluded from the recall.

The complaint contends that even vehicles that received recall inspections or repairs remain at risk of sudden engine failure. It alleges the fix failed to address excessive operating temperatures or underlying component weaknesses.

Honda Engine Defect Claims

According to the lawsuit, Messenger’s 2016 Honda Pilot vehicle began exhibiting engine problems at around 76,000 miles, including abnormal noise and metal debris found in the oil pan, which she says were consistent with bearing failure tied to the alleged crankshaft defect. She claims Honda and its authorized dealer refused to cover the repair under warranty or recall provisions, ultimately forcing her to pay more than $11,000 out of pocket for an engine replacement after Honda declined reimbursement.

Messenger indicates that Honda has received thousands of consumer complaints and warranty claims over the years describing identical engine problems, including rod knock, engine seizure and complete loss of motive power.

She cites reports submitted to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) describing vehicles that stalled on highways, lost power in traffic or caught fire without warning. In some cases, drivers allege they were told repairs would cost thousands of dollars because their vehicles were not included in the recall, despite exhibiting the same failure characteristics.

The complaint further alleges that Honda closely monitors NHTSA complaints, dealer repair data and warranty trends, and therefore knew or should have known the defect extended beyond the recalled vehicles.

The lawsuit indicates that Honda continued to market the affected vehicles as safe and reliable, despite internal knowledge of the defect and its implications. Messenger argues that reasonable consumers would not have purchased the vehicles, or would have paid less for them, had they known the engines could fail well before their expected lifespan.

“Honda’s halfhearted and unconscionable acts deprived and continues to deprive Plaintiff and Class Members of the benefit of their bargain. Had Plaintiff and Class Members known what Honda knew about the Defect, they would not have purchased their Class Vehicles or certainly would have paid less to do so.”

— Savannah Messenger v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc. et al

In addition to the recall, the claim points out that NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has opened a broader investigation into engine failures involving the same 3.5-liter V6 platform, including incidents outside the scope of Honda’s recall.

Messenger argues the investigation further supports her claim that Honda’s recall did not fully address the defect and that drivers remain at risk.

The complaint raises allegations of breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, fraudulent omission and violations of state consumer protection laws. It seeks class certification, reimbursement for repair costs, diminished value damages and an order requiring Honda to provide a comprehensive fix.

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