In April 2020, Denso announced a recall of its low-pressure fuel pumps, used in certain Honda and Acura vehicles. According to the complaint for this class action, Honda did not take action to recall the vehicles that use the defective fuel pumps until a month later, May 28, 2020—and the vehicles have still not been repaired. The complaint brings suit against Honda Motor Company Limited and American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
The defect in the fuel pumps is serious, the complaint says, because it can lead to stalling while the car is in operation.
Three classes have been defined for this action. The New Jersey Class is all persons who owned or leased a Honda or Acura vehicle with a defective Denso low-pressure fuel pump in New Jersey. The New York and Pennsylvania Classes are similar.
The vehicles are those with pumps that begin with part number prefix 17045-T, including the following:
- 2018-2019 Accord
- 2018-2019 Civic Hatchback
- 2018-2019 Civic Type R
- 2019 Fit
- 2018-2019 HR-V
- 2019-2020 Insight
- 2018-2019 Acura NSX
- 2019 Acura RDX
- 2019 Acura RLX and RLX Sport Hybrid
The May 28 recall explained that the low-pressure fuel pump was “manufactured with low density impellers. If the surface of the lower density impeller is exposed to production solvent drying for longer periods of time, higher levels of surface cracking may occur.” The impeller then absorbs too much fuel and may deform. It can then interfere with the fuel pump body, which makes it “inoperative.”
Startlingly, the complaint alleges, “As early as 2015, the manufacturer recognized that the low-pressure fuel pumps that it supplied to [Honda] and other manufacturers were prone to failure…”
The complaint quotes a Denso patent application as saying that the plastic impellers in its fuel pumps “may be swelled due to the fuel and water contained in the fuel, [and] therefore a rotation of the impeller may be stopped when the impeller is swelled and comes in contact with the [fuel pump] housing.”
It also alleges that Honda has known about the defect for years, since possibly as early as 2016.
The complaint alleges that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) “has been swamped with complaints by owners who either have not received notice of the defect (and the recall repair) or have been turned away at dealers when they seek to have their defective fuel pumps replaced.” Even worse, it says, “many owners with Recalled Vehicles are being told that their vehicle is not eligible” for the repairs.
The complaint quotes NHTSA postings from vehicle owners, for example, “Sudden loss of power while passing on highway…” and “…while in the fast lane it just slowed to 30 mph with cars slamming on brakes behind and to the right of me.”
Article Type: LawsuitTopic: Automobile
Most Recent Case Event
Honda and Acura Defective Fuel Pumps NJ, NY, PA Complaint
September 21, 2020
In April 2020, Denso announced a recall of its low-pressure fuel pumps, used in certain Honda and Acura vehicles. According to the complaint for this class action, Honda did not take action to recall the vehicles that use the defective fuel pumps until a month later, May 28, 2020—and the vehicles have still not been repaired. The complaint brings suit against Honda Motor Company Limited and American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda and Acura Defective Fuel Pumps NJ, NY, PA ComplaintCase Event History
Honda and Acura Defective Fuel Pumps NJ, NY, PA Complaint
September 21, 2020
In April 2020, Denso announced a recall of its low-pressure fuel pumps, used in certain Honda and Acura vehicles. According to the complaint for this class action, Honda did not take action to recall the vehicles that use the defective fuel pumps until a month later, May 28, 2020—and the vehicles have still not been repaired. The complaint brings suit against Honda Motor Company Limited and American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Honda and Acura Defective Fuel Pumps NJ, NY, PA Complaint