Gibbs Law Group LLP

Honda & Acura Brake Pads Class Action

Settlement provides cash for brake repairs, replacements

Gibbs Law Group LLP and co-counsel filed a class action complaint against Honda on behalf of plaintiffs and other owners and lessees of certain 2008-2010 Honda Accord and 2009-2010 Acura TSX vehicles. The complaint alleged that a defect caused the vehicles’ rear brake pads to wear prematurely and that Honda did not tell its customers about the defect or cover the repairs under warranty. Honda has denied the allegations.

[Note: Our defective automobile attorneys are also investigating allegations of Honda CR-V automatic braking problems. We have already filed a Honda Accord automated braking lawsuit over alleged defects in the Honda Sensing system, leading to sudden and unexpected braking.]

In July 2010, Judge Margaret M. Morrow approved a settlement that provided cash reimbursements to eligible Class Members nationwide. Among other things, eligible Class Members could purchase newly available improved rear brake pads and be reimbursed for the parts and labor costs in full, up to $150.
More information about the settlement is below and can also be found in the Honda Class Action Settlement Notice.

Honda Accord & Acura TSX Class Action Lawsuit: Submitting Claims

If you spent money on the new material rear brake pads and are otherwise eligible to receive a reimbursement under the settlement, you can now submit your claim.

REPAIR DEADLINE

To be eligible for reimbursements, the new material brake pads (part #: 43022-TAO-A40 or 43022-TAO-A80) must be purchased and installed no later than 3 years after the vehicle was originally sold or leased.

SUBMITTING A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT

To submit a claim, you will need a Honda Class Action Claim Form and your rear brake pad repair receipt (your receipt or documentation must include the part number, date of repair, amount paid, and VIN).
Sign and date the Claim Form and mail it along with your receipt to the Honda Rear Brake Pad Settlement Administrator, PO Box 2322, Faribault, MN 55021-9022.

Please save copies of the documents for your records.

CLAIM DEADLINE

The deadline for mailing your claim is 90 days after the purchase/repair.

Honda Accord & Acura TSX Class Action Settlement

Eligible Class Members can receive cash reimbursements for money spent on the new material brake pads (part number 43022-TAO-A40 or 43022-TAO-A80).

Installation of these new pads, which are available at Honda and Acura dealerships nationwide, along with adjustments to the vehicles’ calipers, should allow the rear brake pads to last substantially longer than the vehicles’ original brake pads.
Class members who pay for the new material brake pads can be reimbursed for their parts and labor costs up to $150.
The settlement also provided for reimbursements for rear brake repairs performed before the new material brake pads became available, however the deadline for submitting claims for such repairs has now passed.

Honda Accord & Acura TSX Class Action Lawsuit Class Members

Class Members are current and former owners and lessees of the following vehicles:

  • 2008 – 2009 Honda Accords,
  • 2009 Acura TSXs,
  • 2010 Acura TSX V6’s, if the last six digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) appear on this V6 list,
  • 2010 Acura TSX L4’s, if the last six digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) appear on this L4 list, and
  • 2010 Honda Accords, if the last six digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) are one of the following: 000001; 000002; 000003; 000004; 000005; 000006; 000007; 000008; or 000009.

Honda & Acura Class Action Frequently Asked Questions

1. When will I receive my reimbursement under the Honda & Acura Rear Brakes Class Action?

2. I sent in my Claim Form already–was it received?

3. Must rotors be resurfaced every time the rear brake pads are replaced?

4. Can I be reimbursed if I went to an independent mechanic or I didn’t use Honda or Acura parts?

5. Is my car covered by the Honda Accord & Acura TSX Class Action settlement?

6. What will be the amount of the reimbursements under the Honda & Acura Class Action Settlement?

7. Should I mail in my claim now, or

8. How much will the improved Honda brake pad cost?

9. What if I have not had any brake problems with my Honda Accord or Acura TSX?

10. Does this class action apply only to 2008-2010 Honda Accords and 2009-2010 Acura TSXs?

1. When will I receive my reimbursement under the Honda & Acura Rear Brakes Class Action?

The Claims Administrator began mailing reimbursement checks in mid-September 2010. Most Class Members who submit valid claims will receive their reimbursement in the mail within about 3 weeks.
If there is a problem with your claim, the Claims Administrator will mail a deficiency notice explaining what, if anything, is needed to make the claim reimbursable.

2. I sent in my Claim Form already–was it received?

To find out whether your claim has been received, you can call the Claims Administrator at 1-888-398-8211.

3. Must rotors be resurfaced every time the rear brake pads are replaced?

No. Both Honda and Acura have instructed their dealers that “the need for disc refinishing should be rare.” Honda sent this direction to dealers in a July and December 2010 “Service News,” and Acura provided the direction in both July and December 2010 as well.

4. Can I be reimbursed if I went to an independent mechanic or I didn’t use Honda or Acura parts?

Yes. Timely claims for repairs using the new material brake pads (part # 43022-TAO-A40 or 43022-TAO-A80) can be made even if the repairs were not made at a Honda or Acura dealership. However, the claims deadline has passed for repairs using non-Honda and non-Acura parts.

5. Is my car covered by the Honda Accord & Acura TSX Class Action settlement?

For residents of the United States, the following cars are covered by the settlement agreement:

  1. ALL 2008-2009 Honda Accords and 2009 Acura TSXs;
  2. ONLY THOSE 2010 Honda Accords that have a vehicle identification number (VIN) that ends with: 000001; 000002; 000003; 000004; 000005; 000006; 000007; 000008; 000009; and
  3. ONLY THOSE 2010 Acura TSX V6’s that have a vehicle identification number (VIN) that ends with one of the 6-digit numbers: 2010 Acura TSX V6 Class Vehicles VIN Numbers; and
  4. ONLY THOSE 2010 Acura TSX L4’s that have a vehicle identification number (VIN) that ends with one of the 6-digit numbers: 2010 Acura TSX L4 Class Vehicles VIN Numbers

6. What will be the amount of the reimbursements under the Honda & Acura Class Action Settlement?

    1. For replacements using new material Honda brake pads (part # 43022-TAO-A40 or 43022-TAO-A80), the reimbursement will be equal to 100% of the amount spent on parts and labor, up to $150 per repair.
    2. For replacements performed before the improved brake pads became available, the reimbursement will be equal to 50% of the amount spent, up to $125 per repair. However, the deadline for submitting claims for these repairs has now passed.

7. Should I mail in my claim now, or wait?

Once you have purchased the new material rear brake pads or had them installed, you should submit your claim as soon as possible. The deadline for doing so is 90 days after the purchase or repair. You can print a Honda/Acura Brake Class Action Claim Form here.

8. How much will the improved Honda brake pad cost?

Honda’s suggested retail price for a set of the improved brake pads (part # 43022-TAO-A40 or 43022-TAO-A80) is $66.66. Labor costs to install the pads will vary. You can claim reimbursements for having the improved brake pads installed regardless of whether you have the work done at a Honda/Acura dealership or at an independent mechanic.

9. What if I have not had any brake problems with my Honda Accord or Acura TSX?

Some Class Vehicles, especially the more recently sold vehicles, will not yet have required brake pad replacements. However, if your car needs rear brake pads in the future, you may still be able to make a claim under the settlement. Please remember that there is no mileage limitation for the repairs, but that the deadline for purchasing and having the new material brake pads installed is within 3 years of when the car was first sold or leased.

10. Does this class action apply only to 2008-2010 Honda Accords and 2009-2010 Acura TSXs?

YES. The court-approved settlement can only provide assistance for the types of vehicles that were at issue in this case. Only the 2008-2010 Accords and 2009-2010 Acura TSXs were listed in the complaint. Owners of other models or model years are not barred by the settlement from seeking their own relief from Honda, but will not be eligible to make a claim under the agreement.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Claims Administrator at 1-888-398-8211. You can contact us at our toll-free number at (866) 981-4800 or by filling out the form to the right to email us.

Need Additional Information? Speak to An Auto Lawyer

If you have questions about the Honda and Acura Brakes Settlement or wish to discuss another matter, please call (866) 981-4800 or fill out the contat form on your right to speak to an auto lawyer.