EPA v. American Honda

Case summary

This case addresses violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) by American Honda Motor Company, Inc. (Honda), a subsidiary of Honda Motor Company, Ltd. Between August 1, 2003 and January 31, 2008, Honda imported approximately 437,000 nonroad engines which were not equipped with the air intake box and/or muffler required by the engines' EPA issued certificate of conformity. At least approximately 4,400 of the non-conforming engines reached end users with the incorrect air intake assembly installed; these engines emitted and will continue to emit nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in excess of regulatory standards unless corrected. As part of the settlement with EPA, Honda has agreed to pay a $580,000 civil penalty to the US Treasury. Honda will also retire 55 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) plus non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) from Honda's Averaging Banking and Trading account in compensation to the United States for the excess pollution generated by the installation of the improper air boxes.

Defendants (1)

• American Honda Motor Company, Inc.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO INC

  1919 TORRANCE BLVD, TORRANCE, CA, 905012722

  Registry ID: 110010597755

Statutes cited

• CAA 203 — Prohibited Acts - Motor Vehicle & Motor Vehicle Engines
• CAA 213 — Non-road Engines & Vehicles

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• American Hondaentered 2013-07-26

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $580,000

Timeline (6 milestones)

• 2009-08-12Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2010-08-01Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2013-06-18Final Order Lodged
• 2013-06-18Complaint Filed With Court
• 2013-07-26Final Order Entered
• 2013-08-16Enforcement Action Closed