Acura RDX Infotainment System Defect

AFFECTED VEHICLES

• 2019 and 2020 Acura RDX

ACURA INFOTAINMENT DEFECT EXPLAINED

Acura's third generation Acura RDX vehicles were released in summer 2018 and were equipped with a 10.2-inch display controlled by a touchpad, commonly referred to as an infotainment system. The screen was designed to attract buyers who want to manage available technology while on the road, while minimizing distractions and maximizing safety, yet due to a serious defect, the infotainment system installed in 2019 and 2020 Acura RDX vehicles allegedly achieved the exact opposite, posing a serious safety risk to drivers. Acura knew about the defect prior to selling the affected vehicles.

The alleged defect caused many of the vehicles’ features associated with the infotainment system to malfunction, including the navigation system, audio system, as well as safety features like the backup camera. Acura RDX owners reported the infotainment system frequently freezing or crashing. When the system malfunctions, unexpected audio or video errors can cause the driver to become distracted.

The lawsuit stated that Honda knew about the defect through various channels, including rampant reports collected by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and posted in online forums. Honda also should have known based on data collected from pre-release design, manufacturing and testing, warranty claims data, complaints from authorized dealers and other sources, the lawsuit says.

ANDROID AUTO

The affected Acura RDX models were also slated to include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity as standard features promised by Honda. Honda released promotional materials to dealers touting the features, yet when sales began in 2018 only Apple CarPlay was available. After a year of empty promises from the automaker, owners and lessees were still waiting to receive the feature Honda promised, according to the lawsuit.

ACURA OWNER COMPLAINTS

Acura RDX owners voiced frustration concerning the defective infotainment system:

• “Enjoyed it while I had it, but after driving less than 25 miles and owning for under 3 hours, the Infotainment center flashed between the home screen and ‘touchpad is not available.’"
• "I regard this as a safety and driver distraction issue that can lead to collisions."
• “Almost EVERY single day I have an issue with this infotainment system. Radio unavailable. Tuner not found, Messages shriek. Yesterday it was ‘Device not connected’ which I have had before."
• "The whole screen freezes on a regular basis... It’s very distracting as its totally unexpected. I usually try to play with it trying to get it to work again...NOT SAFE."
• “Everything went black including the instrument cluster. Then it started flashing the whole way home. Shutting off and restarting didn’t help. Already had the infotainment system replaced and it still doesn’t work right."
• “It seems like each day I get a new infotainment error. Now my tuner wouldn’t change from FM to XM and multiple times the navigation route failed."
• “We’ve only had this car about three weeks…The infotainment system in this car is garbage. It crashes from time to time, the Nav system is antequated…. The radio will just say ‘loading’ on startup sometimes. Requiring the power to by cycled. Sound is very inconsistent from source to source. Strange digital pops when talking over BT. Everyday it’s something new. All of this is while using Apple Car Play or an Android phone paired of BT."

YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS

Under the Vehicles’ New Vehicle Limited Warranty, Honda is required to “repair or replace any part that is defective in material or workmanship under normal use." Honda has not found a solution to the infotainment system defect, the lawsuit states. Instead, Honda tells Acura RDX owners to wait for a forthcoming “software update” to fix the infotainment problems, or alternatively simply replaces defective parts with equally defective parts, thereby leaving consumers caught in a cycle of use, malfunction, and replacement.

Hagens Berman believes vehicle owners deserve more, and that these automakers should be held accountable for selling a defective product for which owners paid a premium price. While Honda would rather wait until they are forced to act, we think those affected by this issue should receive immediate help. We want to hold Honda accountable.

TOP AUTO LITIGATION FIRM

Hagens Berman is one of the most successful auto litigation law firms in the U.S. and is presently leading nationwide cases against Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, GM, Mercedes, and Fiat Chrysler for safety defects as well as emissions-cheating. The firm achieved a settlement in a similar case against Ford for defective MyFord Touch infotainment systems. Your claim will be handled by attorneys experienced in automotive consumer law.

In January 2022, Hagens Berman recovered a $10.5 million settlement on behalf of owners of affected vehicles, resolving these allegations against Honda.