Honda Pilot Lemon Law

With three failed repair attempts for the same transmission defect, your Pilot has likely met the threshold for the lemon law presumption under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. You are potentially entitled to a full refund of the purchase price or a replacement vehicle at Honda's expense. Contact a California lemon law attorney, as the manufacturer is required to pay your attorney fees if your claim is successful, meaning there is typically no out-of-pocket cost for legal representation.

Yes, under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, any days your Pilot is out of service for warranty repair count toward the cumulative 30-day threshold, including time the vehicle is waiting at the dealership for backordered parts. If you were told to continue driving while waiting for parts, the days may not count, so it is important to clarify whether the dealer considers the vehicle safe to drive. Request written documentation of the backorder status and expected delivery date at each visit.

While some degree of injector noise is common in direct-injection engines, a progressively worsening ticking noise that is accompanied by rough idle or check engine lights for lean fuel conditions is not normal. If the noise substantially impairs the value of your Pilot or indicates an underlying mechanical defect, you may have grounds for a lemon law claim under the Song-Beverly Act. Have the dealer measure and document the noise level and compare it to Honda's factory specifications for acceptable injector sound.

Under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, if you receive a refund, Honda is required to pay off the remaining loan balance directly to your lender as part of the buyback. You would then receive a refund of all payments you have made, including your down payment, monthly payments, taxes, and registration fees, minus a reasonable mileage offset for the use you had before the first repair attempt. The lender's lien is fully satisfied and you are not left with any remaining loan obligation.