Honda i-VTEC Turbo Engine Class Lawsuit Alleges Coolant Leaks Cause Engine Damage

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Honda's 1.5-liter i-VTEC turbocharged engines suffer from a defect that causes coolant leaks and engine damage.

Consumers Affected: Current and former owners or lessees of 2018-2022 Honda Accords, 2016-2022 Honda Civics, or 2017-2022 Honda CR-Vs with the affected engines.

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

Turbocharged engines used in certain Honda vehicles are at the center of a lawsuit alleging design flaws that cause coolant leaks and engine damage. The complaint targets Honda’s 1.5-liter i-VTEC turbocharged engines, found in popular models like the Honda Accord, Civic, and CR-V, for their inability to manage increased heat and pressure.

Honda i-VTEC Turbo Engines Suffer from Coolant Leaks, Lawsuit Claims

According to the lawsuit, the turbocharged engines allow coolant to leak into cylinders, leading to overheating, oil contamination, misfires, and engine failure. Drivers have reported instances of sudden power loss while driving, creating potentially hazardous situations.

“Because of the grave risks the engine defect poses, a vehicle that suffers from the engine defect is not fit for its ordinary purpose and does not pass without objection in the trade, and renders the class vehicles substantially less drivable, usable, safe, and valuable,” the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit also alleges that while Honda’s warranty covers this defect, the company has refused to perform repairs under warranty or provide adequate remedies for affected customers.

Consumers Denied Warranty Coverage for Engine Defect

Chris Bissell, the plaintiff in the case, owns a 2018 Honda Accord purchased as a certified pre-owned vehicle. At around 87,000 miles, Bissell’s vehicle began experiencing misfires, dashboard warning lights, and noticeable vibrations while driving. After an independent mechanic identified the problem as a head gasket failure caused by leaking coolant, Bissell faced repair costs and sought further evaluation from a Honda dealership.

Despite acknowledging the defect in communications with dealerships, Honda failed to offer repairs under warranty, the lawsuit claims.

The complaint suggests Honda has been aware of the defect since at least 2017 through internal communications and design changes implemented in 2020. Despite these efforts, the design adjustments have reportedly not resolved the problem.

“Despite knowledge of the engine defect, Honda did not offer repairs for customers suffering from the defect, nor did Honda cover any attempted repairs under warranty,” the filing alleges.

Honda Faces Other Lawsuits Over Vehicle Defects

This case adds to a growing list of defect lawsuits Honda has faced.

In November, Honda was sued over claims that certain models were sold with defective paint prone to peeling and flaking. Plaintiffs allege the company was aware of the issue but continued marketing affected vehicles without disclosure.

Earlier in July, another lawsuit accused Honda of equipping vehicles with a defective 9-speed automatic transmission that caused shifting issues and power loss in multiple models.

In the Honda i-VTEC class action lawsuit, Bissell argues that Honda has violated consumer protection laws and warranty agreements by failing to address the issue. He is seeking damages, reimbursement for repair costs, and remedies to ensure future safety on behalf of all current and former owners or lessees of 2018-2022 model year Honda Accords, 2016-2022 Honda Civics or 2017-2022 Honda CR-Vs that were purchased or leased in California. 

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Bissell v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. et al.
• Case Number: 3:24-cv-02286
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Timothy G. Blood, Thomas J. O’Reardon II, Paula R. Brown, Adam M. Bucci (Blood Hurst & O’Reardon, LLP)
•  W. Daniel “Dee” Miles III, H. Clay Barnett III, J. Mitch Williams, Dylan T. Martin, and Trenton H. Mann (Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.)

Do you own a Honda with a 1.5-liter i-VTEC turbocharged engine? Share your experience in the comments below.