Hear a Popping Noise? Class Action Says Honda Pilot, Passport, Odyssey Plagued by Sound System Defect

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A proposed class action alleges several newer Honda vehicle models suffer from a speaker defect that can cause intermittent, unpredictable and loud popping and/or crackling noises, regardless of whether the sound system is on or off. 

The 92-page complaint claims that the sound system issue affects the 2020-2021 Honda Pilot (except LX models), 2020 Honda Passport (except Sport models), 2021 Honda Passport and 2020 Honda Odyssey (except LX models). According to the case, the problem poses a safety risk in that it can startle a driver and passengers, causing the former to become distracted. 

To stop the defect from occurring, the suit says, a driver may need to pull over, shut their vehicle off and restart the car, a solution that the case says is only “temporary.” 

The filing alleges Defendant American Honda Motor Co. either knew of the issue prior to marketing the affected vehicle models or failed to adequately test the cars prior to their release. The case says that although Honda settled similar litigation over “substantially the same [d]efect” in 2018-2019 Odyssey, Pilot and Passport models, the automaker has not found a solution to the electrical problem. 

“Instead, Honda simply replaces defective parts with equally defective parts, thereby leaving consumers caught in a cycle of use, malfunction, and replacement,” the lawsuit says. 

Per the complaint, the problem stems from “defective electrical components” in the Honda vehicles at issue. When the apparent defect manifests, a loud, abrupt, unexpected popping or crackling sound can come from the speakers, or no sound may come at all from the system when audio is supposed to be playing, the suit says. Further, the popping and crackling sounds can interrupt audio playback from a Honda’s infotainment system or interrupt hands-free phone conversations, the case states. 

The alleged sound system defect can also disrupt certain audio cues, including for navigation and a vehicle’s back-up camera, the suit adds. 

The case alleges Honda is, “of course, currently aware that the electrical systems in the Class Vehicles are malfunctioning in record numbers” yet has been unable to permanently fix the issue, other than instructing dealers to replace a number of electrical connectors in an affected vehicle. 

The lawsuit looks to cover all persons or entities who bought or leased any 2020-2021 Honda Pilot (all except LX), 2020 Honda Passport (all except Sport), 2021 Honda Passport, and 2020 Honda Odyssey (all except LX) in the United States. 

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