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Posted: 05/13/2009
I bought my preowned 2001 Honda ODDyssey from Stevenson Honda in April 2005 with approx 57K miles. Within the first 10,000 miles I could feel the tranny slipping sometimes. Brought it back to the dealer and had the service department check it out. They stated that they can't find a problem but added fluids. 20,000 miles later my check engine light came on. I brought it to a mechanic shop around the block from my work. They hooked it up to a scanner and they told me the problem was "a lock up solenoid for the torque converter." Went home to check my purchase papers and warranty coverage and found a transmission warranty that my van came with when I purchased it. Brought the van back to the dealer where they replaced it with a factory rebuilt trasmission and torque converter with a 12 month 12,000 mile warranty.
Of course 42,000 miles later my van broke down on the side of the highway with a blown transmission....5 hours away from home. I had to have my friend pick me up, rent a dolly from U-Haul and my friend towed me all the way home. When I called Honda Service Department they told me that my warranty for the tranny was expired. I told him that I realize this but said shouldn't a transmission last longer than 40,000 miles. He said yes of course, but that his hands are tied. I spoke to a manager in the sales department, Doug Allen and told them how disappointed I was in their company and how they ripped me off right from the beginning (a whole other scam) and that I expected them to do the right thing. He said he was going to be in a meeting in a couple of days with the Factory Director and that he would speak to him and would get back to me!!! I never heard from Doug again even though I called him and left a message on his voicemail.
I called American Honda Auto and filed a complaint 1(800)999-1009. They said I need to get the car back to the dealer so that they could diagnose the problem and then call them back when I know what it is and they would set me up with a case manager if the dealer can't help me. I had it towed over to Stevenson, they checked it out, and called to tell me it is an internal problem with the transmission (no duh) and would cost me $3100 to fix. I asked to speak to the Service Manager...he also said his hands are tied. I told him I wwould like to speak to the District Service Manager but he told me that he won't be back for a month and that he already spoke to the DSM and that he said he can't do anything for me, and the DSM asked "when does it become the customer's responsiblity?" So, so far Honda will not take responsibility for their crappy service and parts!!!
I finally got a call today from my robot case manager "Chris" who talked his pitch faster then a auctionier and will be getting back to me within 24 hours. Poor Chris didn't even sound human and as much as I wanted to say that to him, I stayed pleasant hoping it would help my case. I tried to plead with any sympathy he may have left and explained to him that I am a single Mom with two kids, no money and now no car and I'm still making payments!!!!! This will be the third transmission in a 8 year old Honda vehicle. I thought Honda's were supposed to be reliable.
Well whatever happens one thing I do know, I will never buy another Honda and especially I would NEVER but from a Stevenson dealer again!!!
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