Honda has had its fair share of problems over the years. In addition to airbag scandals, there have been several Honda door actuator issues. Few things are as frustrating as your door locks not working as they should. It can lead to your being locked out of your car or even locked in.
Honda’s issues with door lock actuators include:
- A recall
- Two service bulletins
- A class-action lawsuit
We’ll look at these problems with Honda door lock actuators and learn what you can do if you are having problems with the door lock actuator on your vehicle.
Front Door Latches
NHTSA Recall ID: 12V338000
This recall applies to the 2012 Honda CR-V and the 2013 Acura ILX. It affected 172,837 vehicles, and it was issued in July 2019. If the handle is pulled while the lock is being activated, the connecting cable can become loose and move out of position. This can cause the door to not latch properly.
If the door doesn’t latch properly, it can cause the door to open while the vehicle is in operation. This can cause the vehicle occupants to fall out of the vehicle or cause an accident.
If your vehicle is affected by this recall, your Honda dealership will replace the latch assemblies free of charge. In some models, the interior door handles will be replaced as well.
Honda Door Lock Actuator Class Action Suit
Honda settled a class-action lawsuit for their door lock actuators. The lawsuit claimed that Honda was aware of problems with the CR-V 2007 through 2011 vehicles and that they didn’t acknowledge the defective actuators to avoid the cost of repairs. The CR-V door lock actuators usually malfunction after the three-year warranty that covers them has expired.
The settlement required Honda to pay $1.4 million in attorney’s fees and $1,500 to the three Honda owners who brought the lawsuit. It also required Honda to extend the warranty on the door lock actuators to six years or six months from the settlement date.
Honda owners who had already paid to repair the door lock actuators were reimbursed under the settlement. The settlement resulted in two service bulletins that extended the warranty and gave dealerships instructions for repairing the door lock actuator.
Service Bulletins
Service ID: 14-083, 14-084
These service bulletins allowed Honda CR-V owners to get their door actuators repaired free of charge until November 2015. The bulletins applied to the driver’s side and passenger door lock actuators, but stated they were only to be repaired if they were faulty, instead of a blanket replacement for all actuators.
Honda Accord Door Actuator Problems
The CR-V isn’t the only Honda plagued by door actuator problems. The Honda Accord has had many complaints about faulty actuators. According to Accord owners, the actuators may lock on their own, not lock at all, or unlock on their own.
The problem is usually intermittent, malfunctioning occasionally with no apparent cause. The issue has been reported with old and new Accords, with models ranging from 1990 to 2017.
Some owners stated that they took the vehicle to the Honda dealership, but they could not determine or repair the problem. This suggests that the door actuator lock itself is not the cause of all the malfunctions.
Experiencing Honda Door Lock Actuator Malfunction?
If you are experiencing a Honda door lock actuator malfunction, the first stop should be your Honda dealership. They can tell you if your vehicle is under recall or if the problem is under warranty.
You can also search for recalls by VIN or make and model at the NHTSA website. You can file a complaint with the NHTSA as well. You can also reach Honda customer service at (800) 999-1009.
