Honda VCM Class Action Settlement

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I received the letter. My VCM Accord has over 80K miles no issues, my new MDX also has a vcm engine (j35 in both). The Accord has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever had so far (8-10k miles OCI based on olm). As far as mileage with this engine in straight highway runs while the vcm (eco mode) is active, Ive done 34mpg on longer trips at 65mph. It falls of dramatically in city, or stop and go. My normal average is 27mpg per tank. I really have no concern over this, the issue does exist in a small percentage of engines, I will post pics of the plugs when I change them and the timing belt in the next 15-20k miles.
 
Originally Posted By: mclasser
Originally Posted By: jrustles
Is VCM really that useful?

Nope, it really isn't that useful and is too complex for it's own good. I know that in the Pilot, it was added to squeeze out an extra 1 MPG.


I think you are bitter. The 2004 to 07 Accords offered two versions of the 3.0L engine..... with VCM or without. The new technology boosted highway MPG from 29 to 33, and it has no mechanical problems.
 
What's interesting to me is how this story has not been on the mass media's radar in any significant way. I see stories about other makes with problems of a similar nature on the news, why not this one?

Could it be that Honda has vaguely threatened these media outlets with withholding ad buys???
 
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
. . . Partially correct but wrong about the details. I've read the settlement agreement. It is an agreement negotiated between the plaintiffs and Honda. . . .


Respectfully, I was not "partially correct" in anything I wrote or quoted verbatim. I suggest you re-read my post. What you wrote, on the other hand, reflects your unsubstantiated opinions and speculation regarding the give and take of settlement negotiations to which you were not, and are not, privy. The proposed agreement remains just that until approved by the presiding judge in March.
 
Originally Posted By: R2d2
I will post pics of the plugs when I change them and the timing belt in the next 15-20k miles.


That would be cool, a shot under both valve covers might be interesting to some of us too. Although it is extra work, but might show if a problem is brewing or not.
 
Originally Posted By: antiqueshell
What's interesting to me is how this story has not been on the mass media's radar in any significant way. I see stories about other makes with problems of a similar nature on the news, why not this one?

Could it be that Honda has vaguely threatened these media outlets with withholding ad buys???

Honda Motor Company has one of the lowest ad budgets in the industry. This issue hasn't got legs simply because the number of vehicles actually affected is miniscule in relation to the total number of VCM V-6s sold, and for the vast majority of owners this settlement amounts to little more than the early replacement of three spark plugs. Indeed, what the owners of VCM V-6s should be celebrating in the potential of their gaining an eight-year, unlimited mileage engine warranty that's transferable to future owners. Now that's worth something. What Honda should be doing (IMHO, of course) is halving oil change interval for that engine, but that's not going to happen.
 
I know a five owners of VCM equipped Ody's. They have had no issues with 80k-150k and all generally happy with the vehicle and excellent MPG(highway only, city still lackluster). I wonder how widespread the issue is, obviously it exists but what is the trouble rate?

That all being said I asked them all of average MPG and they get (19-20MPG) when getting my MDX a few years back. This indicates they drive just like I do in my 07 MDX(17MPG), nearly all stop-go/city so VCM barely used.
 
Originally Posted By: Hounds

Honda Motor Company has one of the lowest ad budgets in the industry.


lol.gif
Oh yeah.
 
Originally Posted By: rjundi
I know a five owners of VCM equipped Ody's. They have had no issues with 80k-150k and all generally happy with the vehicle and excellent MPG(highway only, city still lackluster). I wonder how widespread the issue is, obviously it exists but what is the trouble rate?

That all being said I asked them all of average MPG and they get (19-20MPG) when getting my MDX a few years back. This indicates they drive just like I do in my 07 MDX(17MPG), nearly all stop-go/city so VCM barely used.

This is the key to the problem and one reason it appears in certain vehicles. Steady state driving on the highway when VCM is in 3 cyl mode for long periods seems to be the most damaging.
 
Originally Posted By: Hounds
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
. . . Partially correct but wrong about the details. I've read the settlement agreement. It is an agreement negotiated between the plaintiffs and Honda. . . .


Respectfully, I was not "partially correct" in anything I wrote or quoted verbatim. I suggest you re-read my post. What you wrote, on the other hand, reflects your unsubstantiated opinions and speculation regarding the give and take of settlement negotiations to which you were not, and are not, privy. The proposed agreement remains just that until approved by the presiding judge in March.

Sure you were. Read the website. And you're wrong again calling my reporting of the facts "unsubstantiated opinions and speculations". The negotiations are detailed on the website. The settlement agreement is signed by the judge. It is not implemented yet because of the time period required to notify class members (us). The only thing that will stop or modify this is if there are 1000 opt outs or an avalanche of opposition from VCM owners. Neither will happen because of the lack of publicity surrounding the issue. It's all but a done deal. Read the original court documents instead of just blogs
 
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Originally Posted By: Hounds
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
. . . Partially correct but wrong about the details. I've read the settlement agreement. It is an agreement negotiated between the plaintiffs and Honda. . . .


Respectfully, I was not "partially correct" in anything I wrote or quoted verbatim. I suggest you re-read my post. What you wrote, on the other hand, reflects your unsubstantiated opinions and speculation regarding the give and take of settlement negotiations to which you were not, and are not, privy. The proposed agreement remains just that until approved by the presiding judge in March.

Sure you were. Read the website. And you're wrong again calling my reporting of the facts "unsubstantiated opinions and speculations". The negotiations are detailed on the website. The settlement agreement is signed by the judge. It is not implemented yet because of the time period required to notify class members (us). The only thing that will stop or modify this is if there are 1000 opt outs or an avalanche of opposition from VCM owners. Neither will happen because of the lack of publicity surrounding the issue. It's all but a done deal. Read the original court documents instead of just blogs
Does either of you currently own the affected vehicle?
 
See below. That's why I've gone to the trouble to read everything on the website and accurately report it's contents here and elsewhere.
 
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Keep reading. If you still can't understand what's going on, I can help you no further.

http://settlement-claims.com/enginemisfire/Portals/0/Documents/Preliminary_Approval_Order.pdf

The court has blessed this agreement. It can only be stopped by two things: 1000 opt outs (which means Honda feels they are still exposed to too much litigation from individuals) or if many people petition the court with their objections to the terms of the settlement. Neither will happen because people don't pay attention to these things, threw their notice away because it looked like junk mail, sold the car, gave it to their kid, moved and so on.

While the court needs to finalize the settlement after jumping through the class action hoops, it has already approved it and finalize it they will, much to Honda's benefit.
 
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Originally Posted By: Indydriver
Keep reading. If you still can't understand what's going on, I can help you no further.

http://settlement-claims.com/enginemisfire/Portals/0/Documents/Preliminary_Approval_Order.pdf

Try again, sir. You've cited and linked a 2012 pleading, not the proposed settlement document, which is available, and as counsel for the plaintiffs have made abundantly clear, is pending the presiding judge's approval in March. Hence, the settlement is pending. http://www.autonews.com/assets/PDF/CA913971022.PDF
 
Originally Posted By: Indydriver
I'll bet you a case of oil that the settlement ends up exactly as written today.

That's the only thing that's got us wrapped around the axle? If so, you're probably right. (I'm hedging with "probably right" because I find it hard to believe that Honda is willing to accept the unlimited mileage aspect of this [dare I say "proposed"?]settlement.)

That said, I think we are on the same page now. Whew!
 
Originally Posted By: Vikas
which of you owns a VCM and which of you is doing mental ?

Vikas, Indydriver owns a VCM V-6. I don't. I, however, trade HMC, which explains why I follow the company's litigation issues closely (as in every day).
 
Does it only impact the VCMs that use 3, 4 and 6 cylinder operation? Mine has VCM and I love it. No oil burning yet after 125000 miles and almost 9 years now. Plus, I am averaging over 22mpgs overall. Not bad for a large vehicle with some get up and go.

ref
 
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