Honda Class Action Lawsuit: Defective Infotainment Systems Alleged

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit has been filed against American Honda Motor Co. Inc., alleging that their 2020-2022 Honda Pilot, Passport, and Odyssey models have defective infotainment systems that malfunction and create safety hazards.

Consumers Affected: Owners and lessees of 2020-2022 Honda Pilot, Passport, and Odyssey vehicles in Ohio.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Honda sells vehicles with defective infotainment systems that malfunction and make distracting noises, a new class action lawsuit alleges.

Plaintiffs Jennifer Fausto and Sean Fausto filed the class action complaint against American Honda Motor Co. Inc on Aug. 27 in a California federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws. 

According to the lawsuit—brought on behalf of past and present Ohio owners and lessees of 2020-2022 Honda Pilot, Passport, and Odyssey vehicles—these systems are “plagued by” unpredictable and loud popping and crackling noises that create distractions and pose safety hazards to drivers.

Defective Infotainment Systems Pose Safety Hazards, Lawsuit Claims

The Faustos say that the infotainment systems in the affected Honda models emit loud, sudden noises from the speakers that can startle drivers, causing potential distractions. 

The issue, described as an “Electrical Defect,” occurs without warning, affecting functions like navigation, entertainment, and other system controls, they say. 

The plaintiffs argue that this defect increases the risk of accidents and contributes to an overall unsafe driving experience.

Honda Accused of Ignoring Complaints, Failing To Fix Defect

The lawsuit claims that Honda knew about the defect but continued to market and sell the vehicles.

Despite issuing multiple Technical Service Bulletins and addressing similar issues in previous models, including the 2019 Honda Pilot and Odyssey, Honda has failed to find a permanent solution, it alleges.

Many owners reported that after bringing their vehicles in for repair, the issue persisted, with Honda dealerships only offering temporary fixes that failed to address the underlying problem.

Numerous complaints have also been filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) with drivers reporting the same electrical malfunctions, the lawsuit states. Many described situations where the defect left their vehicles’ infotainment systems inoperable, interfering with safety features like backup cameras.

Honda Faces Legal Pressure to Resolve Infotainment System Issues

As a result, the plaintiffs are looking to represent anyone in the United States who is a past or present Ohio owner or lessees of 2020-2022 Honda Pilot, Passport, and Odyssey vehicles. They are suing for breach of warranty and state consumer laws, and are seeking certification of the class action, damages for the cost of repairs, vehicle devaluation, and the inconvenience caused by the defect, fees, costs and a jury trial. 

This lawsuit follows earlier class actions related to similar defects in earlier Honda and Acura models, further spotlighting Honda’s ongoing issues with its vehicle systems. 

In July, Honda was hit with a class action alleging it sold vehicles with a defective 9-speed automatic transmission. The lawsuit claims the faulty transmission causes shifting problems and sudden loss of power in various Honda models.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Fausto et al v. American Honda Motor Co. Inc
• Case Number: 2:24-cv-07308 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Trinette G. Kent (Lemberg Law LLC)

Have you experienced issues with the infotainment system in your Honda vehicle? Share your experiences in the comments below.