Honda Infotainment Problems

For over 67 years, Honda has been one of the best-selling car brands with more than 4.5 million new cars sold worldwide. Known for its reliability and safety, it is not unusual to find Hondas still on the road with over 100,000 miles.

Honda has won numerous car awards and was ranked by US News #1 in reliability and safety. With a proven track record of success, you would expect a Honda to be a reliable, quality vehicle.

Unfortunately, the Honda brand is not immune to reliability issues. In fact, many Honda owners with car model years 2017 and newer report numerous infotainment problems.

This article reviews the Honda defects related to the Honda Infotainment system, class action lawsuit, and your lemon law options.

The Honda Infotainment System and What It Operates

When you purchase a newer Honda model, you can expect your vehicle to come with Honda’s infotainment system. The infotainment system links several features including the instrumental panel, display audio, and rearview camera display to one central network.

In addition to car functionality, several features are controlled by the software within the infotainment center. Smartphone link and operation, heating and cooling functions, GPS navigation, as well as other vehicle settings are all found within the infotainment system.

Honda sold more than 600,000 cars with infotainment in the U.S. and claims the infotainment system enhances car and driver safety. Despite the reliability and safety claims, Honda owners continue to experience infotainment defects.

Honda infotainment problems are more than an inconvenience. Safety concerns climb to the top of the list of concerns for malfunctioning infotainment systems.

1. Audio and Visual Distractions

Honda owners complain of cracking and popping sounds stemming from the infotainment system. Other owners raise concerns about how Honda’s infotainment system constantly reboots, goes blank, or intermittently turns on and off. The infotainment problems can be dangerous or life-threatening to drivers since it detracts their attention from the road.

One Honda owner states on Car Complaints

“I purchased an Odyssey and within less than 2 weeks, the infotainment system started displaying problems…Other times the entire screen will go black/turn off for several minutes, completing disabling the backup camera and other functions.

Edmunds has noted that the infotainment system that provides the many modern features is “finicky’, making it “slightly frustrating to use”. Consumer Reports has stated the Honda infotainment system is “fussy” and difficult to operate.

2. Draining Car Battery

Some Honda owners have complained that defective infotainment causes their Honda not to start. Oftentimes the infotainment system will not shut off when the car is parked, which causes the battery to drain. One owner posted a video of their experience on YouTube. The video shows in real-time, the infotainment shutting off and not working correctly.

3. Withholding Critical Information

The malfunctioning software also limits the information shared with the driver. Critical information the faulty software withholds includes speed, engine oil pressure, and gear selector position. The only resolution is to turn the car off and on again. The displays can also randomly reboot, or prevent the backup camera feed from displaying.

Honda’s Response

According to The Car Guide, Honda acknowledges a “software-related” problem with the infotainment system in a document released earlier this month. Apparently, the company is working on a fix that will be available through an OTA update.

Honda has recalled 608,000 cars for the faulty software. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) “[c]ertain 2018-2020 Odysseys, 2019-2020 Passports, and 2019-2021 Pilots were outfitted with “incorrect instrument panel control module software.”

CNBC has reported that this is not the first time Honda has experienced trouble with its infotainment system and software. Honda had recalled some 232,000 Accords and Insights in 2018 for a similar issue.

Honda Infotainment Class Action Lawsuit

In 2019 a class action lawsuit was filed against Honda in the Central District of California (Los Angeles). The lawsuit alleged faulty software and hardware in the Honda infotainment center resulting in constant freezing and crashing of the infotainment system.

The Honda class-action lawsuit also alleged the defective Honda infotainment system interfered with:

the backup camera
the navigation system
heating, and cooling system,
connection interference with smartphones

Plaintiffs in the Honda class-action lawsuit from 15 states sought monetary damages and an injunction against Honda from selling vehicles with a defective infotainment system.

Honda Infotainment Class Action Settlement

As reported in US Auto Law, Honda agreed to settle the infotainment class suit. The Honda infotainment class action settlement covers the 2017 – 2022 Honda Odyssey, Passport, and Pilot.

According to the Honda infotainment settlement filed in court, owners will receive the following:

a two year or 24,000-mile extension of their warranty for the infotainment system
one year of free Sirius XM Select or two years of free HondaLink Security Service
reimbursement of the costs of repair if the vehicle was repaired more than one time at an authorized Honda dealership

Honda Cars with Infotainment Problems Not Covered in Class Action Settlement

The Honda Infotainment Class Action lawsuit did not include all Honda cars. Only the Honda Odyssey, Pilot, and Passport are covered.

Unfortunately, other Honda owners, including owners of the Accord, CR-V, Civic, Civic, Clarity, Fit, HR-V, Odyssey, and Ridgeline are experiencing similar electrical, engine, and other problems.

Although these owners are not included in the infotainment class action settlement, they still have rights under the lemon law to receive a refund or a substantial cash settlement.

What Can I Do About My Honda Infotainment Defect? Do I Have A Lemon Law Claim Against Honda?

Infotainment problems with a Honda car may allow you to get lemon law relief. You may be eligible to participate in the Honda Infotainment Class Settlement. If you have purchased or leased a Honda with defective infotainment, or other electrical problems, you may need to contact a Lemon Law Attorney.

We know the infotainment problems with your Honda cars and can inform you of your lemon law rights. As one of the country’s largest and most successful lemon law firms, our attorneys can provide you with PA Lemon Law, NJ Lemon Law , NY Lemon Law and Hawaii Lemon Law help at no cost to you.

Honda Infotainment Problems – Learn About The Class Action Settlement

Honda Infotainment Problems – Learn About The Class Action Settlement

The Honda Infotainment System and What It Operates