2012 Honda Crosstour

An aftermarket ignition interlock device installed in my vehicle requires “rolling retests” while the vehicle is in motion. During these rolling retests, the device alerts the driver and requires a breath sample within a short time window. To complete the test, the driver must physically pick up and handle the handheld unit and blow into the device while driving. This requirement creates a driver distraction because the driver must remove at least one hand from the steering wheel and divert attention from the roadway in order to complete the breath test. This procedure appears to conflict with Pennsylvania’s hands-free driving law, 75 Pa.C.S. §3316 (Paul Miller’s Law), which prohibits drivers from holding or manually using an interactive electronic device while operating a vehicle. Although the ignition interlock device is intended to promote road safety, the design of the rolling retest requires the driver to manually interact with a handheld device while the vehicle is moving. Drivers may feel pressured to complete the test immediately because failing to do so can be recorded as a violation or trigger lockout procedures. This creates a situation where drivers must choose between complying with the device requirements or maintaining full attention on safe vehicle operation. In my experience, the alert can occur while driving in traffic, which forces the driver to handle the device during active driving conditions. Because this equipment directly affects vehicle operation and driver behavior while the vehicle is moving, I am submitting this report to raise a potential safety concern regarding whether rolling retest procedures create unsafe driver distraction and whether they conflict with hands-free driving safety laws.

An aftermarket ignition interlock device (Intoxalock eLERT model) installed in my vehicle repeatedly malfunctioned and disabled the vehicle’s ignition system, preventing the vehicle from starting and operating normally. The device was installed on October 6, 2025 as part of a state ignition interlock program. The first malfunction occurred only four days later. The device has malfunctioned multiple times since installation. The most serious failure occurred in March 2026 when the device would not power on at all. Because the device controls the ignition relay, the vehicle could not start and became completely inoperable. The vehicle had to be towed to the service center that installed the device. The component involved appears to be the ignition interlock handheld breath testing unit and relay system that communicates with the vehicle ignition. When the device fails to power on or function properly, the vehicle cannot start even when the driver is sober and compliant. This malfunction created a safety concern because the vehicle could not be operated or moved when needed, leaving the driver stranded and unable to safely transport family members. The problem has occurred multiple times and appears to be related to the device itself rather than the vehicle. The equipment has been returned to an authorized service center for inspection, and the device should be available for inspection upon request. There were no warning lights from the vehicle itself prior to the failure. The primary symptom was that the ignition interlock device would not power on or would malfunction during operation, which prevented the vehicle from starting. Because the ignition interlock device directly controls whether the vehicle can start, repeated device failures create a situation where the vehicle becomes unexpectedly disabled.

Car was due for timing belt maintenance at 100k miles. Timing belt and related parts were changed August 2023. I was told belt will last 100k miles. October 2024, 13.5 months later, the belt fails and causes catastrophic damage to the engine. My son had to push the car to the side the highway when this happened. Honda service said the engine is “toast” and is a cost of $7,000 to be replaced. Reached out to Honda corporate for help due to defective part. They said the part had a 12 month warranty and the car is too old to help you. I can only trust the people but so much but I should be able to trust the parts when they are OEM. Disappointed Honda no longer stands behind it parts.

Honda is aware of faulty VTC actuators on certain models. There is no active recall to repair the defective part. This issue causes extra wear on the engine, which could then lead to catastrophic failure. That causes great hazard as that failure can occur at any time. Honda is currently charging owners roughly $2000 (in Wake County, NC) to repair this issue. This should be a covered recall for all owners, to avoid engine failure, accidents, and potential deaths on the roads.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA CROSSTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING ABNORMALLY. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT CV AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS REPLACED EVERY 6 MONTHS. I KNOW I AM NOT TYE ONLY OWNER WHO HAS HAD THIS SAME ISSUE I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE LOCAL DELEARSHIP IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS CAR. I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND MONEY INTO THIS ISSUE AND I DEMAND AN ANSWER. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS ISSUE ON A NEE CAR OR A CAR THAT IS 8 YEARS OLD. I HAVE MAINTANED MY CAR VERY WELL AND THIS IS THE ONLY ISSUE WITH THE CAR BUT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER HONDA PRODUCT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THIS ISSUE AND ADVISE I HAVE LOOKED INTO A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST HONDA FOR COSTING ME SO MUCH TIME, MOKEY, AND HEARTACHE OVER THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE MANY TIMES I FELT UNSAFE IN MY CAR AND TRIED TO TRADE IT IN BUT NO ONE WOULD GIVE ME PAY OFF SO I AM FORCED TO PAY MONEY THAT IS NOT NECESSARY EVERY 6 MONTHS SO I FEEL SAFE. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND SHOULD NOT BE THE A HONDA OWNER SHOULD FEEL. I HAVE BEEN ON VACATION 8 HOURS AWAY AND HAD TO HAVE MY CAR WORKED ON. THAT WAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE VACATION I HAVE EVER HAD. IT IS TRULY UPSETTING AND DISAPPOINTING BEYOND VOLUMES THAT I CAN NOT TAKE MY HONDA ANYWHERE ON VACATION FOR THE FEAR OF THE BRAKES LOCKING UP AND KILLING ME AND MY CHILDREN. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I HAVE PURCHAED A SUBARU AND STILL HAVE MY HONDA. I NEED THIS ISSUE FIXED BECAUSE MY SON WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR WHICH IS NOW PAID OFF AND IS SITTING IN A DRIVEWAY FOR FEAR OF DEATH OR INJURY.