Honda reassures customers,
Canadians will get same benefits
An interesting number of reports have surfaced that American Honda has reached settlement terms a class-action lawsuit over claims that it manufactured almost 1.6-million vehicles that excessively burn oil and consequently require more frequent spark plug replacements than normal.
So, what does it mean for Canadians?
The lawsuit involves 2008-12 Honda Accords, 2008-13 Odysseys, 2009-13 Pilots, 2010-12 Crosstours equipped with six-cylinder engines that have variable cylinder management. The action, first filed in March of 2012 by plaintiffs Alex Soto and Vince Eagen, claimed the vehicles had a defective engine management system that caused oil to enter the combustion chamber where it was consumed along with the fuel-air mix which led to premature spark plug degradation and engine malfunctions.
A technical service bulletin (#11-033) was issued to U.S. dealers in 2011 recommending an update to the engine computer software and an instruction to remind owners that “with less frequent service intervals for modern engines, it’s not uncommon for a customer to add oil between services. Therefore, it’s a good idea for customers to check their engine oil regularly (as recommended in the owner’s manual) and add oil as necessary.” An excerpt taken from a 2009 U.S. Accord owner’s manual recommends checking the oil level every time the fuel tank is filled.
A review of complaints submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the U.S. alleges that American Honda said it was normal for an engine to burn a quart of oil every 1,000 miles.
California court documents show that American Honda will extend the powertrain warranty on involved vehicles for up to eight years from the initial purchase or lease date and reimburse any related outof-pocket expenses.
When a request for information was put to Honda Canada for details on implications for Canadian Honda owners, Maki Inoue, a public relations supervisor replied by email: “As a customer satisfaction measure, Honda Canada is committed to ensuring that any settlement benefits offered to U.S. customers in the Soto case are also offered to customers in Canada. Our customers with affected vehicles should expect to receive a letter describing these benefits in the near future.”
When pressed for further details, Honda Canada replied that they have posted the following on their website (see honda.ca)
“To our valued customers: There is a proposed settlement of a classaction lawsuit pending in the United States which recently received preliminary approval by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The case is called Soto, et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and it is about allegations of engine misfire in certain Honda vehicles equipped with a V6 engine with Variable Cylinder Management, including: ❚ 2008-2012 Honda Accord ❚ 2008-2013 Honda Odyssey ❚ 2009-2013 Honda Pilot ❚ 2010-2012 Honda Accord Crosstour
“A hearing for final approval of the U.S. class action settlement is scheduled for March 21, 2014. Honda Canada would like to assure its Canadian customers that any settlement benefits that are extended to eligible Honda owners and lessees in the U.S. will also be extended to eligible Canadian owners and lessees. We are making this goodwill gesture in recognition of the importance to Honda Canada of the satisfaction of its affected owners and lessees. If you have any questions, please contact us at 1-888-9-HONDA-9 (1-888946-6329).”