Honda is one of the top-selling automotive brands in California, and American Honda Motor Co. — headquartered right here in the state — is a frequent defendant in California courts. Lemon law claims, Takata airbag recall personal injury cases, and transmission defect class actions all generate service needs. Like Toyota, the most important thing to get right before you serve is the entity name. Honda’s corporate structure creates the same kind of parent/subsidiary confusion that trips up attorneys in automotive litigation.
The Correct Legal Entity
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. is the correct entity for California litigation. It is the U.S. subsidiary responsible for the sale, distribution, and marketing of Honda and Acura vehicles in the American market. It is incorporated in California and headquartered in Torrance, California — making it a domestic California corporation, not a foreign one.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is the Japanese parent company, incorporated in Japan. Like Toyota Motor Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is a foreign entity for U.S. purposes. Serving it in a California lawsuit would require Hague Convention service procedures — a lengthy, expensive international process that is entirely avoidable when you correctly name the U.S. subsidiary.
Name your defendant American Honda Motor Co., Inc. This is the entity that sells Honda vehicles to California dealerships, administers warranty claims in the United States, and is the proper defendant in product liability, lemon law, and recall-related litigation.
Search bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov to confirm the current registered agent and entity status for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. before you serve.
Where to Serve
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.’s registered agent for service of process in California is:
CT Corporation System
330 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 700
Glendale, CA 91203
CT Corporation handles registered agent services for the majority of major automotive companies in California. Their Glendale office is a standard service location with professional intake staff. For more general information about CT Corporation locations, see our CT Corporation Sacramento guide or our registered agents in Sacramento overview.
What Documents Are Commonly Served
American Honda Motor Co. is a high-volume defendant in California courts. Common documents include:
• Lemon law complaints under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act — Honda vehicles, including Civics, Accords, CR-Vs, and Pilots, generate consistent Song-Beverly claims in California. Repeat repair attempts for the same defect, transmission issues, and electrical problems are frequent triggers
• Takata airbag recall personal injury claims — the Takata airbag inflator recall is the largest automotive recall in U.S. history, and Honda was one of the most heavily affected manufacturers. Personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from airbag inflator ruptures continue to be filed and litigated in California courts
• CVT and transmission class action complaints — Honda’s continuously variable transmission (CVT) has been the subject of class actions alleging shuddering, jerking, premature failure, and inadequate warranty coverage
• Subpoenas duces tecum seeking technical service bulletins, warranty claim data, recall communications, and NHTSA defect investigation records
• CLRA and UCL complaints in consumer fraud cases alleging misrepresentation of vehicle capabilities or defect concealment
California’s lemon law provides among the strongest consumer protections in the country. Song-Beverly allows for civil penalty damages when a manufacturer willfully fails to comply with warranty obligations — a provision that makes Honda lemon law cases economically meaningful for plaintiffs’ attorneys operating on contingency.
How We Handle It
We handle service at CT Corporation’s Glendale office through our Southern California network. For Honda litigation originating in Northern California or Sacramento-area courts, we coordinate service efficiently regardless of where the registered agent is located. Court-ready proof of service is provided with every assignment.
Service Level | Timeframe | Price
Standard | 10 business days | \$99
Expedited | 3 business days | \$150
Rush | 24 hours | \$175
Court Filing Add-on | — | +\$30
