Drivers File Lawsuit Against Honda Over Engines That Fail to Last a Minimum of 200,000 Miles | Carscoops

      This marks the second occasion Honda has faced a lawsuit regarding issues linked to its i-VTEC engines.

      A class action complaint indicates that head gaskets are likely to fail.

      The plaintiffs assert that Honda has declined to repair or replace the affected engines.

      Owners experiencing these issues may observe white smoke coming from their exhaust.

      Honda has historically been recognized for manufacturing reliable engines, but a recent lawsuit in the U.S. alleges that some of its newer 1.5- and 2.0-liter four-cylinder models may be encountering significant problems. The complaint states that these engines struggle with high compression and heat, resulting in overheating, head gasket failures, and other potentially expensive issues.

      A primary claim is that the head gaskets in these four-cylinder engines are susceptible to cracking. When this occurs, coolant can accumulate in the cylinder head grooves. The filing suggests that insufficient coolant may lead to engine overheating, seizing, or, in severe cases, catching fire.

      Owners might also notice white smoke from their exhaust, indicating that coolant is leaking into the pistons and burning.

      Another issue highlighted is that coolant mixing with engine oil can cause corrosion of internal components. According to the plaintiffs, Honda has refused to repair or replace the affected i-VTEC engines, despite the vehicles being under warranty.

      The class action asserts that engines like those in the specified models are typically expected to be reliable for at least 200,000 miles, which they claim is not the case here, as their lifespan is significantly reduced.

      Models involved

      The lawsuit names five vehicles: the 2018-2022 Honda Accord, 2016-2022 Honda Civic, 2017-2022 Honda CR-V, 2021-2022 Acura RDX, and 2019-2022 Acura TLX. Six plaintiffs are named in the lawsuit, five of whom have owned 2018 or 2019 Accord models, while one has owned a 2018 Honda CR-V Touring.

      Honda’s Engine Troubles

      The plaintiffs are suing Honda for breach of warranty, unjust enrichment, and violations of several consumer protection laws. They are seeking a jury trial along with damages, fees, and costs.

      This is not the first time Honda's 1.5-liter i-VTEC engines have been implicated in a class action. In late 2024, a lawsuit filed in California claimed that these engines suffer from insufficient sealing and cooling, which could lead to coolant leakage into the engine, oil contamination, overheating, and loss of power.