Amazing. Must be Honda conservatism.
Mazda and probably others do the same thing. Example: Mazda Australia rates the 3s towing capacity at 1320lbs unbraked and an eye poping 2640 with trailer brakes. Its obviously got a pretty stout structure in back to allow that. U.S. Tow rating......... nothing.
Here's why. Man ties 3500lb top heavy U-Haul on back of Mazda 3. Rounds curve at double the posted limit. Trailer topples over twisting the Mazda onto its head. Man Sues. Lawyer demands Jury trial. Jury knows man was negligent but finds for him anyway because they feel sorry he's in a wheel chair for life with no one to pay his medical bills. The big bad corporation won't miss a couple of mil. Lawyer bags 40% and moves on looking for the next "victim"
Not a true story but we have all heard ones like it.
As long as the claimant has nothing to lose if there is a finding against him, why not go for it.
As long as Lawyers run Washington this will continue.
Sorry for injecting politics but it steams me.
People need to be compensated if they are , through no fault of their own , hurt by a defective product , but loser should pay courts and lawyers if there is no merit to their claim