Honda Reaches Settlement Over Auto Start-Stop System Defect: 20 Owners to Receive $7,500 Each, Lawyers Seek Over $36 Million in Fees

Honda has reached a class-action settlement agreement over alleged defects in the automatic engine stop-start systems installed in certain of its vehicles. The affected models include the 2015–2020 Acura TLX, 2016–2020 Acura MDX, 2016–2021 Honda Pilot, 2019–2021 Honda Passport, and 2020–2021 Honda Ridgeline. Designed to automatically shut off the engine when the vehicle is stationary for more than two seconds and restart it when the brake pedal is released—aimed at improving fuel efficiency—the system has been accused of failing to restart the engine properly, causing vehicles to stall while driving. Under the settlement terms, Honda will pay $7,500 each to 20 named plaintiffs, totaling $150,000. Additionally, the company will continue offering its previously announced 10-year extended warranty on the stop-start system and provide free replacement of starter motors. The extended warranty period is calculated from the vehicle’s original in-service date; 2015 model-year vehicles will receive an additional 24 months of coverage, and 2016 model-year vehicles will receive an extra 18 months. The total cost of the settlement exceeds $36 million, including approximately $35.25 million in attorneys’ fees requested by plaintiffs’ counsel and about $823,000 in litigation expenses. A final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for June 1.