Tag Archives: Honda

News

Honda Hit with Lawsuit Over Alleged Engine Defects in Popular Models

Honda’s reputation for bulletproof four-cylinders may be taking a hit. A new class-action lawsuit filed in the United States alleges that certain 1.5- and 2.0-liter i-VTEC engines found in some of the brand’s most popular cars and crossovers are suffering from potentially serious defects, including overheating, head gasket failures, and even an increased risk of fire.

At the center of the complaint is the claim that head gaskets in these engines are prone to cracking under high compression and heat. Once that seal fails, coolant may leak into the cylinder head grooves, depleting the system and leaving the engine vulnerable to overheating or seizure. In more extreme scenarios, the plaintiffs argue, this chain of events could lead to engine fires.

Drivers have reportedly noticed warning signs such as white smoke from the exhaust—a telltale indicator of coolant entering the combustion chamber—and contaminated engine oil caused by coolant mixing in. Both issues can accelerate internal corrosion and, ultimately, engine failure.

The suit points to five vehicles equipped with these engines:

  • 2018–2022 Honda Accord
  • 2016–2022 Honda Civic
  • 2017–2022 Honda CR-V
  • 2021–2022 Acura RDX
  • 2019–2022 Acura TLX

Six owners are named in the case, including five Accord drivers and one CR-V owner. All allege Honda has failed to adequately address the problem, with some claiming warranty coverage was denied despite ongoing issues.

Allegations of Cut-Short Lifespans

According to the filing, Honda’s four-cylinder engines should last at least 200,000 miles under normal conditions. The plaintiffs argue that, because of the alleged defects, these i-VTEC engines fall far short of that expectation. They are suing the automaker for breach of warranty, unjust enrichment, and violations of consumer protection laws, while also seeking damages, legal fees, and a jury trial.

Not the First Complaint

This isn’t Honda’s first time facing scrutiny over its 1.5-liter engines. In late 2024, a separate California lawsuit raised concerns about inadequate sealing and cooling, which could allow coolant to leak into the engine, dilute the oil, and cause overheating or power loss.

Honda has not yet issued a public response to the latest filing, and the automaker has not announced any recalls related to the allegations. For now, the case underscores the growing tension between Honda’s long-standing reputation for reliable powertrains and recent reports from owners who say their engines are failing far earlier than expected.

Source: Honda

News

Best-Selling Cars in the U.S. Market So Far in 2025

The year’s halfway over, which means two things: you’ve probably abandoned your New Year’s resolution, and America has once again decided what it really wants in a vehicle. Spoiler alert — it’s still a truck. In fact, it’s mostly trucks. And the ones that aren’t? They’re crossovers pretending to be adventurous.

Yes, the sales race for 2025 is well underway, and the leaderboard is looking as predictable as a Fast & Furious plotline. GM and Toyota are trading blows, Honda’s hanging in there, and Ford is… well, Ford. Let’s get into it.

5th Place – Ram Trucks: 174,320 Units Sold

Ram might have dropped the Hemi from the 1500 this year — prompting V8 purists to scream into their dipsticks — but it’s still moving metal. The split is 98,915 light-duty trucks and 75,405 heavy-duty bruisers. The HD 3500 will happily tow 36,610 pounds, which is more than some studio apartments weigh. Sales are down 3% from last year, but with the Hemi returning in 2026, expect the faithful to come back like it’s a family reunion with free brisket.

4th Place – Honda CR-V: 212,561 Units Sold

Proof that not all Americans need to tow a yacht, the CR-V sells because it’s safe, sensible, and about as controversial as beige wallpaper. You can have it with a 1.5-liter turbo or a hybrid that makes commuting painless. A facelifted 2026 model with a bigger screen and a faux-rugged TrailSport trim is coming, which should keep it comfortably wedged in the sales top five.

3rd Place – Toyota RAV4: 239,451 Units Sold

The CR-V’s sworn enemy is still the more popular kid in school, even though it’s been wearing the same clothes since 2019. Sure, Honda might make a nicer drive, but Toyota’s reputation for reliability is so bulletproof you could probably sell these things door-to-door in a hurricane. The all-new, hybrid-only RAV4 lands later this year, so expect this number to go even higher.

2nd Place – Chevrolet Silverado: 283,812 Units Sold

GM’s volume brute — both the Silverado 1500 and the heavy-duty models — keeps doing the heavy lifting for the brand. The HDs can tow 36,000 pounds, while the half-ton can manage 13,300 pounds. Fun fact: it actually tows 100 pounds more than its GMC Sierra twin because it weighs a smidge less. If Chevy and GMC ever merged their sales numbers, they’d dethrone the king. But they won’t, because… marketing.

1st Place – Ford F-Series: 399,819 Units Sold

The undisputed monarch of American driveways. Since 1977, the F-Series has been top dog, and in the first half of 2025 alone, Ford sold just shy of 400,000 units. That’s up 19% from last year — the sort of sales bump most automakers would sell a kidney for. The F-150 tows 13,500 pounds, while the Super Duty will happily drag 40,000. It’s not just a best-seller; it’s an institution. America’s automotive Mount Rushmore.

Six months in, and nothing’s really changed: America loves its trucks, flirts with crossovers, and lets sedans crash the party out of politeness. By December, expect this leaderboard to look about the same — unless, of course, we all suddenly decide the future is micro-EVs. But let’s be real… we won’t.

News

Honda Updates the European Civic e:HEV for 2025

Honda may have bid farewell to the high-octane Civic Type R in Europe, but the Civic nameplate isn’t going anywhere. In fact, it’s getting a timely refresh for 2025, aimed at keeping the hybrid-only e:HEV version competitive in a segment still dominated by the Volkswagen Golf.

Rather than a full-scale redesign, this is a visual nip-and-tuck, one shaped largely by customer feedback. Up front, the changes are the most noticeable: the bumper has been reshaped, the upper grille revised, and the lower grille expanded significantly. Honda has also added body-color trim pieces between the grille and headlights, helping to visually unify the nose for a more cohesive, refined look.

Both the upper and lower grilles now wear a gloss black honeycomb mesh finish, a design choice Honda says gives the Civic a “more assertive” presence. In an interesting (and slightly controversial) move, the brand has eliminated the front fog lights altogether, insisting that the LED main beams are powerful enough to make them obsolete.

Trim levels also get their own wheel designs to distinguish them further. Top-tier Advance models receive new 18-inch, two-tone, diamond-cut alloy wheels. The mid-range Sport variant uses the same wheel design, but with a more understated all-black finish. A new exterior paint option — Seabed Blue — replaces the outgoing Premium Crystal Blue, though changes to the color palette are otherwise minimal.

Inside, the updates are subtle but potentially impactful for everyday comfort and perceived quality. All trim levels now feature a black headliner and matching A-pillars, a tweak intended to elevate the cabin ambiance. Matte chrome trim around the air vents adds a touch of understated sophistication, though it’s far from revolutionary.

More meaningful are the trim-specific upgrades. The Advance grade now comes with ambient footwell lighting, while the Sport gains a heated steering wheel — a welcome touch for colder climates. Even the entry-level Elegance trim doesn’t leave buyers out in the cold, offering a wireless charging pad as standard equipment for the first time.

Mechanically, the Civic remains unchanged. It continues to rely on Honda’s unique e:HEV full-hybrid powertrain, which combines a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle petrol engine with two electric motors to deliver 181 hp (184 PS). The system prioritizes electric drive for urban conditions and blends in the petrol engine as needed — all without a plug. It’s a clever, efficient setup that delivers surprisingly brisk performance, though it’ll no doubt leave some enthusiasts yearning for the now-retired Type R.

And with the American-market Civic’s 150 hp (152 PS) powertrain never having crossed the Atlantic, the e:HEV hybrid is now the only Civic drivetrain available to European buyers. Like it or not, this is the new normal.

While the 2025 Civic e:HEV refresh won’t make headlines for radical changes, it’s a calculated evolution of a well-balanced hatchback. Honda has doubled down on refinement and visual clarity, fine-tuning a formula that’s already strong. For drivers in search of practical hybrid power wrapped in a sharper suit, the Civic still makes a compelling case — even without the red-badged fire-breather.

Source: Honda