Are you a Honda or Acura owner who has experienced problems with the auto idle stop system? You may have some company in your struggles. A new class action lawsuit against Honda has been filed over the allegedly defective system.
Owners claim that the Honda Auto Engine Idle Stop System feature suddenly, without warning, fails to restart the engine after the feature automatically turns off the engine. This defect, owners allege occurs when at red stoplights and other momentary stops.
Let’s take a closer look at the Honda auto engine idle stop system problem, and how it could affect current vehicle owners. Read on to learn more about the Honda Auto Idle Stop System Problem.
Owners Allege the Honda Auto Idle Stop System is Defective
Have you ever been behind the wheel of your Honda or Acura and found yourself frustrated by its auto idle stop system? If so, you’re not alone!
While this feature is meant to enhance fuel efficiency, owner complaints have alleged that the system can put people in dangerous situations.
Vehicle owners have filled complaints with the NHTSA alleging that the defect has left drivers stranded in their stalled vehicles in the middle of oncoming traffic.
Making matters worst, owners report that it takes multiple attempts to restart the vehicle after it stalls. Some owners have even reported that restarting their Honda or Acura vehicle can take up to 15 minutes.
Due to the shear number of complaints, not only is the NHTSA investigating the matter, but a class action lawsuit has been approved to move forward over the defect.
As one can imagine, stalling on a busy highway, requiring to restart the vehicle which can take several minutes is a serious safety concern. As such, owners are seeking relief for the Honda auto engine idle stop system problem.
How Long Has Honda Been Aware of The Defective Auto Idle Stop System?
According to the class action documents, Honda was aware of the auto stop idle defect as early as January 12, 2017.
Honda’s engineering team at its Torrance, California headquarters had reportedly begun an investigation into the engine defect.
However, Honda did not notify customers of the defect, instead only notifying its dealerships through “Dealer Messages” of the investigation. The dealer message, sent on January 12, 2017 was to specifically warn them that “[the] message is solely directed to Honda dealership personnel; please handle accordingly.”
That same Dealer Message was issued once again on February 3 and 23, 2017, and March
10, 16, and 27, 2017.
The class action lawsuit claims that Honda actively concealed that multiple Honda/Acura vehicle models suffer from a start/stop defect.
As such, the defect puts both the driver and passengers of the Honda/Acura vehicles at risk, but also other drivers on the road.
How Does The Honda Auto Idle Stop System Work?
Honda promotes that the Idle Stop feature works when the vehicle brakes to a stop for at least two seconds.
The engine automatically shuts off to save fuel. When the driver releases the brake pedal, the engine starts back up by automatically.
Honda and Acura Models Affected
The following Honda and Acura models are affected by this defect:
- 2018-2020 Honda Odyssey
- 2016-2020 Honda Pilot
- 2019-2020 Honda Passport
- 2015-2020 Acura TLX
- 2015-2020 Acura MDX
Status of the Honda Auto Idle Stop Class Action Litigation
This is an active class action lawsuit. This suit has been brought on behalf of the Plaintiffs and a class of current and former Honda and Acura vehicle owners and lessees.
Cooper et al v. American Honda Motor Co Inc. Case No. 1:22-cv-05299, was filed in the United States District Court Northern District of Illinois.
Honda and Acura Owners’ Voices
Upon exiting stop/start events(auto shut off at stop signs/lights/parking lots), engine does not restart. instead, it shifts into park, lights up all instruments on display panel, and requires a manual restart. vehicle is dead until restarted, posing a hazard to occupants/oncoming traffic. has happened multiple times in past weeks. we also have read of many other owners of ’16/’17 honda pilot owners having the exact same issue.
NHTSA ID Number: 11287574, dated December 6, 2019
The car shut off when trying to recover from idle stop mode. all lights turned off. the car becomes invisible when dark.
NHTSA ID Number: 11415486, dated May 7, 2021
The auto engine idle feature engaged at a stop light as usual. when i moved my foot from the brake to the accelerator, the car shut off, shifted into neutral and would not start. this was on a major highway. it took several minutes to start again, while i was stalled in dangerous traffic.
NHTSA ID Number: 11417954, dated May 20, 2021
While stopped at a red light, the engine would completely shut off. i had to restart the car and it would take multiple attempts to turn it back on. the first time it happened, i thought it was a battery issue. but i had since changed the battery and the problem still occurs. it seems to happen when the idle mode is not turned off. this is dangerous as it could cause an accident to have your car suddenly stop working in the middle of traffic.
NHTSA ID Number: 11425989, dated July 22, 2021
The auto-idle feature will unexpectedly over-engage while coming to a stop and the entire vehicle will shut off. i am unable to shift, steer, etc. it will also completely shut the engine down when at a complete stop. to be clear, this is not the normal auto-idle. when the full engine disengage happens, the entire vehicle loses power and the dash flashes. the vehicle states, “put into p”. once in “p” for park, the vehicle still will not restart. it is as if the vehicle has to “reset” itself. it has taken upwards of 4 minutes for the vehicle to restart. this has happened on a highway during construction traffic, approaching a stop sign, slowing at a red light on multiple occasions. i have almost been rear-ended as a result on mutiple occasions. i am not even able to put the vehicle in neutral to move it to a safe spot. honda informed me that i “just need to disengage this feature each and every time i start the vehicle” . that is not the solution. this feature should be permanently disabled by honda. immediately.
NHTSA ID Number: 11450663, dated February 6, 2022
Questions About This Lawsuit?
MyCarVoice.com is not counsel or the settlement administrator in this class action lawsuit. Our goal is to inform owners of these vehicles of the recent lawsuit. This post will be updated when/if new suit information is released.
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Have you owned or leased a vehicle manufactured by Honda containing an auto idle stop system defect? If so, add your voice to this post in the comments below.
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Managing Editor
Christopher is an automotive technical writer. When he’s not at the local autocross event, he can often be found working on one of his cars. Specializes in automotive class action law, industry trends, and automotive maintenance. Email me direct, or learn more about us
John Childress
May 22, 2024 at 11:53 amHad our first experience with a dead car after stopping at a traffic circle, fortunately it started up. We usually shut off idle stop when we start the car, sometimes forget, but are reminded at the first stop. A big surprise at 2 30 am when the alarm and all lights came on, the alarm shut off with the fob, but the lights had to be shutoff by switching from auto to off. The indicator lights stayed on and the car wouldn’t start without a boost later in the morning. I have read the article and comments about a 7 year problem that has not been resolved. We have enjoyed our car for 6 yrs, but with this type of dangerous problem, it’s time to trade, and not a Honda
Ravinath Kalepu
September 6, 2023 at 2:10 amMy 2021 Honda Odyssey stopped multiple times at the signals where we are put in dangerous situation when my children were in the minivan.
David
August 30, 2023 at 11:10 amI have a honda pilot turing 2018, it happens many time, till now, at least 5 times. It is terrible. Think about it, when you are at the stop sign, and can not start it. A lot of cars follows you but you can not move, they will be very angry if not a kind person since need to switch to another lane or hard to find space. Explanation is useless. Very very terrible! Hope they can stop this feature in the next recall. This is so dangerous!!!!
Melissa
August 28, 2023 at 2:52 pmExperiencing same problems with my 2020 Honda Pilot. Taken to the Honda twice and they “cant replicate the issue” so therefore cannot fix under Honda’s “warranty extension”. Honda America is no help either – they are telling my I should replace my (less than 2 year old) battery and that will fix it. This is a dangerous defect and Honda should take ownership.
Micah Vogt
August 27, 2023 at 5:06 pm2020 odyssey doesn’t start back up after start stop engages. Very dangerous.
Linda
August 15, 2023 at 4:30 pmYes this is a safety issue! And I have a Pilot 2021 so obviously the problem hasn’t been addressed/corrected! Luckily I wasn’t in the middle of the intersection, if I was stuck for 3 hrs until I got a police tow, which cost $275! It would not restart, and this was after the software update I put on car a month ago, as it happened 2 prior times but was able to restart back then. And of course the battery died upon me using flashers and had to direct traffic around my car for 3 hrs!! AAA couldn’t tow because it wouldn’t go into neutral. And supposedly the battery costs $450, which wouldn’t have happened if the problem didn’t exist or get fixed in the first place! Honda said they can’t reimburse me because the coverage expired and reimburse a tow! Does anyone have lawyer contact info for lawsuit? I’m in NJ, but I guess if it’s nationwide it doesn’t matter (?). Good luck everyone…stay safe!
Sharon Prelesnik
July 29, 2023 at 5:56 pmFirst I had transmission issues. Apparently there was a recall I didn’t know about and it’s sorta fixed now. They couldn’t duplicate the new problem which is the second half of the first recall but they won’t fix it without confirmation. NOW it just shuts off, stranding me in 105° heat in the middle of a busy under construction intersection and won’t turn back on until after a few minutes of trying multiple times to restart it. This is ridiculously dangerous. It’s happened a few times now in the past few weeks.
Linda
August 16, 2023 at 11:29 amHi Sharon, I hope you are ok and made it home safely. This just happened to me yesterday Sharon on Monday – was stuck for 3 hours! Couldn’t get regular tow, had to pay for police tow to nearest Honda, now they want me to pay for the battery that died as a result of being stuck! How did Honda handle the situation? Thai should be a car recall…totally dangerous!!
Scott Roltsch
July 18, 2023 at 12:21 pmI have a 2020 Honda Ridgeline that was in for a recall to ‘fix’ this issue. It is still occuring and is back in the shop right now. Honda sent a letter stating that if the recall did not fix the issue, they would replace the unit, whatever that means. The dealer said they knew nothing about it.
Tracy
March 27, 2023 at 1:40 pmI have experienced this same issue on 3 recent occasions. Very dangerous. Dealership service center couldn’t replicate the issue, so they just told us to turn off the “auto idle” feature whenever we drive.
Lameka Fields
June 29, 2023 at 3:53 amHi, I’m going through the same thing right now with a new vehicle, did they fix the problem?!
Torey
March 24, 2023 at 5:57 pmThis isn’t just an inconvenience. My wife and children were stuck in the middle of a busy intersection in rush hour traffic. People could be killed by this.
Lameka Fields
June 29, 2023 at 3:56 amHi Torey, I’m going through the same thing right now, did they repair your vehicle?!
Richard Mallet
March 2, 2023 at 1:35 pmThis problem causes a lot of inconvenience. It has to be solved