Own a Honda or Acura vehicle that stops, sputters, stalls or fails to accelerate as expected? Have you had to replace your vehicle's low-pressure fuel pump or engine?

A defect may cause premature failure of fuel system components in Honda and Acura vehicles, leading to increased risk of crash and costly repair bills. You may be entitled to reimbursement. 

Case Status
Active
Court
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Western Division
Case Number
2:20-cv-05166
Defendant(S)
American Honda Motor Co., Inc
File Date

AFFECTED VEHICLES

The firm's lawsuit includes all Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with DENSO low-pressure fuel pumps and fuel pump assemblies, including the following models:

Affected Honda Vehicles: 

  • Accord 2015-2019
  • Civic Hatchback 2018-2019 
  • Civic Type R 2018-2019 
  • Fit 2019 
  • HR-V 2018-2019 
  • Insight 2019-2020 

Affected Acura Vehicles:

  • MDX 2016-2018 
  • NSX 2018–2019 
  • RDX  2019 
  • RLS Sport Hybrid 2019
  • RLX 2019 
  • TLX 2015-2019

"...TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE."

According to the lawsuit, a defect in the DENSO fuel pump installed in the affected Honda and Acura vehicles leaves vehicle owners at risk of spontaneous vehicle shutdown, engine stall and other safety risks that increase the likelihood of a crash or injury.

Owners of affected vehicles have taken to online forums and NHTSA (the National Highway Transit Safety Administration) to report complaints pertaining to the DENSO fuel pump defect:

  • "...hesitates after acceleration sometimes almost stalling. I feel this is not safe for my son at times. Merging, etc...."
  • "...very dangerous when getting out into traffic and when you press on the accelerator there is a long hesitation."
  • "...hesitation/jerk/shudder when accelerating at various speeds."
  • "...it stutters often when accelerating and twice, the engine has stalled out and had to be restarted."
  • "When you pressure (sic) on the accelerator pedal to power the vehicle (like pulling out into traffic or changing lanes in traffic, the car stalls and put (sic) you at risk of getting into an accident.)"
  • "Honda has no explanation for the random occurrence. ...Car too dangerous to drive."

Through these complaints and direct outreach from vehicle owners, Honda has been made aware of the defect.

DENSO FUEL PUMP DEFECT EXPLAINED

The low-pressure fuel pump is an integral component of safe vehicle operation, and the affected Honda and Acura models allegedly suffer from a fundamental design flaw that causes the fuel pump to prematurely fail. According to the lawsuit, the impeller in its low-pressure fuel pump absorbs fuel and water, causing it to degrade and deform. The deformed impeller comes in contact with the fuel pump body, creating excess running resistance, causing “illumination of check engine and master warning indicators, rough engine running, engine no start and/or vehicle stall[ing]...” according to reports.

When the fuel pump fails, gasoline is not supplied to the engine, causing reduced engine power, stalling, and/or engine shutdown. Compounding the problem, the fuel pump defect occurs spontaneously with no advance warning to the consumer, which attorneys say creates extremely dangerous conditions for drivers and occupants.

YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS

Hagens Berman believes that consumers have the right to replacement costs of vehicle parts and deserve compensation. Consumers deserve answers and have rights under the law.

TOP AUTO LITIGATION FIRM

Hagens Berman is one of the most successful auto litigation law firms in the U.S. and has secured total settlements valued at more than $320 billion, including $21 billion in automotive litigation for vehicle owners impacted by defects and other issues.

NO COST TO YOU

In no case will any class member ever be asked to pay any out-of-pocket sum. In the event Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to class members, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to the class's legal team.

CASE TIMELINE

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