Honda Hit with Class Action Over CR-V Vibration Problem

Honda has been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that the company’s 2015 Honda CR-V suffers from a defect that causes them to rattle and vibrate violently. The problem, the suit says, stems from design problems that have “plagued” the vehicle since its introduction. Only 2015 CR-Vs are affected – older models never had such issues – and here’s why.

To help increase gas mileage and boost sales of America’s best-selling SUV, Honda for 2015 manufactured a CR-V with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and new direct-injection “Earth Dreams” engine. With its new model, Honda decided to deviate from its usual design, and these new features – combined with a number of engineering changes – are what’s causing the 2015 CR-Vs to vibrate excessively, according to the lawsuit.

Take plaintiffs Margaret and Troy Ward, for example. On a road trip taken shortly after picking up their new CR-V, the plaintiffs noticed that that their sunglasses were rattling around in their holders. The vibration got worse, according to the suit, and could soon be felt throughout the entire vehicle. Troy also complained that during a business trip taken shortly thereafter, the steering wheel rattled so much his hands became numb and that the problem persisted even when the car was put in park.

In April 2015, three months before the lawsuit was filed, Honda acknowledged the widespread problem, releasing a video saying that they were looking into the issue and would update customers if they found a fix to the problem.

But for Margaret and Troy Ward, the video wasn’t enough. In July 2015, they went ahead and filed a class action on behalf of themselves and anyone else in Tennessee who owns or leases the 2015 CR-V. They say that Honda knew – or should have known about the problem – and continues to sell and market a defective vehicle. They also claim that they’re losing money because of the defect.

According to the lawsuit, the value of 2015 CR-Vs is being reduced because of the vibration issue, and as more and more people become aware of the problem, the car’s value will continue to decrease. In fact, when Honda told the plaintiffs that there was nothing they could do to fix the problem, the dealership offered $22,000 for a trade-in – $10,000 less than what the Wards had paid for the vehicle just one month prior.

The lawsuit is Ward v. American Honda Motor, Co. Inc. and was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.