American Honda Motor Company, Inc., manufacturer of Honda and Acura automobiles, is facing a class action lawsuit for claims related to recurring battery drains in 2004 and later Acuras with HandsFreeLink® technology. In many cases, battery drain in affected Acura vehicles required battery replacement and costly repairs which were not reimbursed or covered by Honda.
Affected vehicles include:
- 2004-2008 Acura TL
- 2005-2008 Acura MDX
- 2007-2009 Acura RDX
People who owned or leased an Acura with HandsFreeLink technology, were potentially subject to financial loss and personal risk and may be eligible for compensation.
Honda Acura HandsFreeLink® Battery Drain Issues
HandsFreeLink® is used the Honda Bluetooth pairing device installed in certain Acura vehicles. It the technology used by Acura to allow for hands-free cell phone use. It was heavily promoted by Honda in Acura advertising campaigns and may have drawn new consumers to the vehicle brand due to advanced technology.
The HandsFreeLink® is intended to disconnect when the system is not in use, however it may get stuck in an “on” setting even when the car is turned off. This may create a parasitic drain on the battery to weaken or exhaust the battery, even while the vehicle’s ignition switch is off.
The problem may occur even if the HandsFreeLink® technology is not in use. If the battery’s state of charge goes low enough, or if the battery cables are removed, the system may reset, causing the problem to appear as if it were an intermittent issue.
Honda HandsFreeLink Battery Drain Response Inadequate
According to complaints, the Acura HandsFreeLink® system remains on even when vehicles are turned off. This indicates an ongoing parasitic drain on the vehicle’s electrical system. Honda has not offered to replace the system or guarantee repairs.
Instead, Acura owners were given the choice by Honda to replace the HandsFreeLink® unit in their vehicles at a cost of at least $1000 or disconnecting the HandsFreeLink® system in their vehicles. Owners were warned that replacing the system does not guarantee the new system will not create the same problem.
Many Acura owners may have been required to replace batteries on their own, pay for other repeated or costly repairs, obtain towing services and may have been placed at risk for personal or financial harm due to non-functional vehicles.
Honda May Have Known About Acura Battery Drain Issues
Lawsuits claim that Honda may have been aware of the battery drain issue since 2005. Documents suggest that the company issued at least five internal service bulletins to dealers without informing vehicle owners, extending warranties, or recalling vehicles affected by the issue. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) also has complaints about the HFL failures and hazards it may create, which were communicated to Honda.
In addition, service records and complaints indicate that the HandsFreeLink® system resets and shields the original problem from technicians. If the battery’s state of charge sinks low enough, or if the battery cables are removed, the system can reset, causing the problem to appear intermittent and making it difficult to diagnose and/or repair the issue. Difficulty with diagnosis and repair may have driven up the costs of addressing the power supply issues with multiple attempts at servicing.
Acura Owners Paid a Premium for Advanced Technology
Acura is considered a high-value, luxury-type brand. People who purchase or lease an Acura vehicle have paid a premium to access advanced technology and luxury features, while maintaining reliability.
HandsFreeLink® technology was featured in Acura marketing campaigns as a high-tech Bluetooth connection which would allow for hands-free cell phone use. It was a major selling point for tech-forward customers who wanted to maintain cell device access while on the road when many cars did not yet provide access.
People who purchased or leased an Acura vehicle may have paid for a service that they did not receive. Many vehicles have required multiple service visits, battery replacements, and may have decreased the value of the vehicle due to the defect. In addition, if left stranded due to an inoperable automobile with a failed battery system, owners and operators may have been left at personal risk, required alternative transportation, and been forced to arrange for towing service.
Legal Action against Honda
American Honda Motor Company, Inc., is facing class action lawsuits for the HandsFreeLink® battery drain defect in Acura vehicles manufactured after 2004. Honda has been accused of knowingly manufacturing and selling a defective vehicle, failing to inform the public about known defects and failing to provide adequate repair services.
Affected vehicles include:
- 2004-2008 Acura TL
- 2005-2008 Acura MDX
- 2007-2009 Acura RDX
Seeger Weiss cofounder Christopher A. Seeger has been appointed class counsel in “Lindsay Aberin, et al., v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc.” The class action Acura HandsfreeLink® Battery Drain lawsuit against Honda has been consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
People who purchased an Acura with HandsFreeLink® technology and experienced battery drainage or replacement, may be eligible for compensation. All initial consultations are free of charge.