A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed against American Honda Motor Co., Inc. by plaintiff Shavonne Geddis-Wright, alleging that certain Honda models have a dangerous brake defect that was not adequately addressed in a recent recall. The lawsuit contends that the July 2023 recall failed to fix the underlying issue, leaving drivers at risk.
Key Highlights
- Plaintiff: Shavonne Geddis-Wright filed the lawsuit against American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
- Issue: Alleged brake defects in specific Honda models, including Civics, Ridgelines, Passports, Pilots, and Acuras.
- Recall Concerns: The July 2023 recall is claimed to be insufficient, failing to address the root cause of the brake issue.
- Legal Action: The lawsuit seeks class certification, a jury trial, and monetary damages for affected vehicle owners.
- Court Location: Filed in South Carolina federal court.
Background of the Lawsuit
On September 6, plaintiff Shavonne Geddis-Wright filed a class action lawsuit in a South Carolina federal court against American Honda Motor Co. The suit alleges that the automaker sold vehicles with a dangerous defect in their braking systems and that a prior recall did not adequately fix the problem.
Details of the Recall
In July 2023, Honda initiated a recall over concerns that certain vehicles’ brake systems could have loose tie rod fasteners, potentially leading to complete brake failure. The recall covered:
- 2020-2021 Honda Civic
- 2020-2023 Honda Ridgeline
- 2021-2023 Honda Passport
- 2021-2022 Honda Pilot
- 2020 Honda Acura MDX
Honda offered owners and lessees a free fix as part of the recall. However, the lawsuit claims that Honda never identified the root cause of the defect and did not correct its manufacturing process.
Allegations Against Honda
According to the complaint, Honda replaced defective tie rods with parts that may have the same defect. The failure to fully address the problem means that drivers of the recalled vehicles could continue to experience dangerous issues with their brakes.
Plaintiff’s Experience
Geddis-Wright states that she purchased a 2020 Honda Civic from a South Carolina dealership in November 2020. She claims to have never had her vehicle serviced anywhere other than the dealership but was never informed about the brake issue recall.
“Through Plaintiff’s consistent visits to Stokes Honda of North Charleston’s Service Department, she has never been told of any recalls or defects related to her vehicle’s brake system,” the lawsuit says. “Plaintiff only recalls receiving notice of a recall related to her vehicle’s Air Conditioning (“AC”) System.”
Knowledge of the Issue
The lawsuit also alleges that Honda was aware of the brake issue even before the recall was issued. Despite this knowledge, Honda did not disclose the issue to buyers or lessees.
Legal Action Sought
The plaintiff is seeking class certification, a jury trial, and monetary damages for all vehicle owners affected by the Honda brake issue recall.
Previous Recalls
In addition to the 2023 recall, Honda recalled more than 187,000 Ridgeline pickup trucks in May 2024 due to an issue with the vehicles’ rearview cameras.
Case Information
The Honda class action is Shavonne Geddis-Wright v. American Honda Motor Company, Inc., Case No. 5:24-cv-04886-MGL, in the District Court for the District of South Carolina Orangeburg Division.
Bottom Line
The lawsuit raises significant concerns about the effectiveness of Honda’s recall process and the safety of certain Honda vehicles. Owners of the affected models are advised to stay informed about developments in the case and any potential further recalls or remedies.
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