The Defect
Owners of certain Honda vehicles with the 1.5-liter turbocharged “Earth Dreams” engine complained of “oil dilution” — unburned gasoline seeping past the cylinders and mixing into the engine oil, sometimes raising the oil level and giving off a fuel smell. The problem was worse in cold-weather driving and on short trips, where the engine did not fully burn off the fuel. A class-action lawsuit alleged that diluted oil does a poorer job protecting engine components, risking premature bearing wear and, in the worst cases, engine trouble, and that Honda failed to disclose the defect. The suit focused on 2016–2018 Civic and 2017–2018 CR-V models.
Diluted oil is a concern because oil’s whole job is lubrication and protection, which fuel contamination undermines.
The Settlement and Newer Claims
Honda first extended warranties on more than a million affected vehicles, then reached a class-action settlement approved in 2020. It provided reimbursement for expenses like premature oil changes, towing and past diagnostic costs, extended warranty coverage, and for owners in designated cold-weather states a software update aimed at reducing the dilution. Separately, later lawsuits have targeted newer 1.5-liter turbo Hondas — certain 2019–2023 CR-V, Civic and Accord models — alleging the same issue, so the matter was not fully closed by the earlier deal.
The cold-weather software update reflected that the problem was tied to how the engine ran in specific conditions.
What Owners Should Know
If you drive an affected Honda, check your oil level and note any rise or fuel smell, and follow Honda’s recommended oil-change intervals and any applicable software update. Frequent short trips in cold weather make dilution worse, so occasional longer drives can help the engine reach full temperature. Keep service records, which matter for any warranty or reimbursement claim.
Before You Act
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Honda Oil Dilution Lawsuit: The 1.5-Liter Turbo Settlement: Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about this case and your legal options.
What is Honda oil dilution?
Unburned gasoline seeping past the cylinders and mixing into the engine oil on certain 1.5-liter turbo Honda engines, worse in cold weather and on short trips. A lawsuit said diluted oil protects the engine poorly and that Honda failed to disclose it, focusing on 2016-2018 Civic and 2017-2018 CR-V models.
What did the Honda oil dilution settlement provide?
Approved in 2020, it offered reimbursement for premature oil changes, towing and diagnostics, extended warranty coverage, and a cold-weather-state software update. Honda had earlier extended warranties on over a million vehicles.
Are newer Honda models affected?
Later lawsuits target certain 2019-2023 CR-V, Civic and Accord models with the 1.5-liter turbo engine, alleging the same oil-dilution issue, so it was not fully resolved by the earlier settlement.
Legal Disclaimer
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Case status, eligibility criteria, and any amounts described are as reported at the date shown and may change. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your own situation.