If you own or lease one of these Honda or Acura models and paid out of pocket to fix a failing starter, you may be able to get that money back — and an extended warranty going forward.
What Is This Settlement About?
A class action settlement has resolved claims that certain Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the Auto Idle Stop system suffered starter problems. The case is In re Honda Idle Stop Litigation, No. 2:22-cv-04252-MCS-SK, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California before Judge Mark C. Scarsi. The U.S. District Court granted final approval to the settlement on May 20, 2026.Auto Idle Stop is a fuel-saving feature that automatically shuts the engine off when the vehicle comes to a stop and restarts it when the driver lifts off the brake. The plaintiffs allege that the feature is defective because the engine may not automatically restart when the driver releases the brake pedal, which can leave the vehicle temporarily undrivable — a condition the parties refer to as "AIS No-Restart" — and that Honda was aware of the alleged defect. American Honda Motor Co. denies any wrongdoing or liability, denies that the feature is defective, and contends that a software update and a warranty extension it has made available already address any potential Auto Idle Stop issue. The parties agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation. The settlement does not involve claims for personal injury, wrongful death, or damage to other property.
Which Vehicles Are Covered?
You are a Settlement Class Member if you purchased or leased one of the following Honda or Acura vehicles in the United States, equipped with an NP0 engine, a nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Auto Idle Stop feature (the "Class Vehicles"):• 2015–2020 Acura TLX
• 2016–2020 Acura MDX
• 2016–2021 Honda Pilot
• 2019–2021 Honda Passport
• 2020–2021 Honda Ridgeline
A vehicle that already received a free "A53" starter motor assembly replacement under warranty is not a Class Vehicle — except that its owner may still submit a claim for reimbursement of past out-of-pocket costs. To confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, check your VIN and eligibility on the official settlement website.
What the Settlement Provides
The settlement provides three main benefits. Which ones apply to you depends on your vehicle and whether you paid for a repair yourself.1. Amended Repair Procedure (No Symptom Verification)
Honda is amending the repair procedure in its Auto Idle Stop service bulletins to eliminate AIS symptom verification as a condition of getting the covered repair. In practice, if your Class Vehicle has already received the software update and needs an AIS No-Restart repair during the warranty coverage period or the Extended Claim Period, an authorized Honda or Acura dealer cannot require that it first reproduce the symptom before performing a free starter replacement.2. Reimbursement of Out-of-Pocket Costs
Honda will reimburse eligible out-of-pocket costs you reasonably incurred for AIS No-Restart repairs. Past costs (incurred before the class notice) can include parts and labor for starter replacement, starter relay replacement, and valve adjustment, as well as towing. You can also claim certain future out-of-pocket costs (such as towing tied to a no-restart) not otherwise covered. This is the benefit with a filing deadline, and it requires documentation (see below).3. Extended Claim Period (2015 / 2016 Vehicles)
Honda previously provided a 10-year warranty extension (from the vehicle's first retail sale or lease) for valve adjustment and starter replacement related to AIS No-Restart. The settlement adds an Extended Claim Period after that warranty period expires: an additional 24 months for 2015 Acura TLX vehicles, and an additional 18 months for 2016 Acura TLX, Acura MDX, and Honda Pilot vehicles. The Extended Claim Period is applied automatically — you do not need to file a claim form to receive it.One important clarification: news coverage has highlighted a $7,500 figure. That amount is a service award the class representatives may request for their time, paid separately by Honda and subject to court approval — it is not a flat payment to every class member, and Honda has reserved the right to oppose it. For most owners, the value of the settlement is the repair coverage and the reimbursement of documented out-of-pocket costs.
How to File a Claim
To seek reimbursement for money you already spent on a covered repair, submit a claim form with supporting documentation through the official settlement website. Acceptable documentation generally includes repair invoices or receipts showing the work performed and the amount you paid out of pocket for the starter, starter relay, or related valve adjustment. Keep copies of everything you submit.The repair coverage and the Extended Claim Period do not require a claim form. The Extended Claim Period is applied to eligible 2015/2016 vehicles automatically, and a qualifying AIS No-Restart repair is handled at an authorized Honda or Acura dealer under the service bulletins. The official settlement website explains how each benefit is handled and lists the required documentation for reimbursement claims.
Key Deadlines
The deadline to submit a claim for past out-of-pocket costs is no later than 90 days after the court enters the Final Approval Order. Because final approval was granted on May 20, 2026, that reimbursement deadline falls at approximately August 18, 2026. Deadlines can shift if the court issues later orders, so verify the exact date on the official settlement website before you file. Claims for eligible future out-of-pocket costs must be submitted no later than 60 days after those costs are incurred. The Extended Claim Period for eligible 2015/2016 vehicles is applied automatically and follows its own timeline tied to your vehicle's warranty period, model year, and the schedule described above.A Note on Scams
You do not have to pay anyone to file a claim in this settlement. Use only the official settlement website to submit your documents, and be cautious of unsolicited messages asking for payment or for sensitive financial details in order to "release" a settlement benefit. OpenClassActions.com does not process claims and is not the settlement administrator.This case sits alongside other long-running auto-defect class actions. For comparison, see our coverage of the $150M GM defective-engine settlement, the Nissan CVT transmission settlement, and the Ford transmission class action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which vehicles are covered by the Honda Idle Stop settlement?
The settlement covers people in the United States who bought or leased certain Honda and Acura vehicles equipped with the Auto Idle Stop system: 2015–2020 Acura TLX, 2016–2020 Acura MDX, 2016–2021 Honda Pilot, 2019–2021 Honda Passport, and 2020–2021 Honda Ridgeline.
What does the Honda Idle Stop settlement provide?
There are three main benefits. First, Honda is amending its Auto Idle Stop service bulletins to eliminate symptom verification as a condition of getting a covered repair. Second, reimbursement of eligible out-of-pocket costs for AIS No-Restart repairs — starter replacement, starter relay replacement, valve adjustment, and towing — that you paid yourself, plus certain future costs. Third, an Extended Claim Period (after the existing 10-year warranty period) of 24 months for 2015 Acura TLX vehicles and 18 months for 2016 Acura TLX, Acura MDX, and Honda Pilot vehicles, applied automatically. The widely reported $7,500 figure is only a service award the class representatives may request, paid separately by Honda and subject to court approval — not a payment to every class member.
Do I need proof to file a reimbursement claim?
Yes. To be reimbursed for out-of-pocket costs, you must submit a claim form with the required documentation — such as repair invoices or receipts showing what you paid for the starter replacement, starter relay replacement, valve adjustment, or towing. The amended repair coverage and the Extended Claim Period are handled at an authorized dealer and do not require the reimbursement claim form.
What is the deadline to file a Honda Idle Stop claim?
The deadline to submit a claim for past out-of-pocket costs is no later than 90 days after the Final Approval Order is entered. The court granted final approval on May 20, 2026, which puts the reimbursement deadline at approximately August 18, 2026. Claims for eligible future out-of-pocket costs must be submitted within 60 days after those costs are incurred. Confirm the exact dates on the official settlement website before you file.
What was wrong with the Honda Auto Idle Stop system?
Plaintiffs allege that the Auto Idle Stop feature — which shuts the engine off at stops and restarts it when the driver releases the brake — is defective because the engine may not automatically restart when the driver lifts off the brake, leaving the vehicle temporarily undrivable (a condition called "AIS No-Restart"), and that Honda was aware of it. Honda denies the feature is defective and denies any wrongdoing; it says a software update and warranty extension already address the issue, and it agreed to settle to avoid the cost and risk of continued litigation.
Sources
• In re Honda Idle Stop Litigation (also captioned Bolooki et al. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc.), No. 2:22-cv-04252-MCS-SK (C.D. Cal.) — Notice of Settlement and official settlement website, Auto Idle Stop Settlement• CarComplaints — reporting on the Honda Idle Stop settlement final approval (May 2026)
