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Posted: 11/14/2009
Purchased a new 2003 Honda Odyssey, have had all services done at the local dealership where the car was purchased. Here's the highlights:
8/06: 24,847 miles. Safety recall regarding auto. trans gears. Honda installed oil jet kit, since mileage was over the limit set to replace transmission.
5/08: 86,000 miles. Drive indicator light flashing. Dealership notes "scanned code P1740 4th gear pressure switch failure or transmission failure. Checked switch, checks OS at this time. Recommend replacing switch. If code resets, will need transmission. Replaced switch and cleared code."
11/08: Oil/filter change. Service A report card says "Transmission etc. checked and okay" (Don't know if this report card is just a local thing.)
1/09: 94,958. Scheduled service, which included "transmission service". Service B report card doesn't even include the transmission, even though a service was done on it.
7/1/09: 102,522. Oil and filter change. " Recommendation: next service due at 106,272. Recommend transmission flush." Service A report card says "Transmission etc. requires immediate attention", which I assumed to mean transmission fluch.
7/30/09: 103,716. Gear shifter sliding too easily. Honda replaced "detent in the shifter assembly did not fix problem. Found internal fault in the shifter assembly inside the transmission, replaced transmission shifter works correctly at this time"
7/31/09: "vehicle needing additional service" informed that transmission needed to be replaced. Cost was about $3700 (total bill was $4235, but other work was done) I requested that the service person explore assistance for payment of this bill, since I had purchased this Honda because of their excellent reputation. I was told that he would contact the regional rep. Never heard a word about this.
Shortly after that, I searched the internet and found sites describing similar problems. On 8/7/09, I contacted American Honda, had to be very insistent that a case be opened, and finally got a case #. Got a phone message from case mgr within 3 days. Returned call, and we continued to play phone tag. My message to him repeatedly requested that he call my cell number,, but he kept calling home phone. Finally received a call on home # - just happened to be there - and he said he would call service mgr and get back to me within 3 days. Eleven days later - no call, left another message for him. Ten days after that, he left a msg again on my home phone. I called again, and finally got a real person, another case mgr, who informed me that my case had been closed. Written comments in my file said "closed case, unsuccessful contacting this person". I asked to speak with this person's supervisor, but was told that I would be contacted by a manager - never happened. Original case mgr called the next day, said he talked with field rep, who reviewed my case and said no help would be given. Case mgr said "American honda has to stand by his decision" would not give me field rep's contact information.
Since then I have contacted Jared Stamell's office. He was the attorney on the first lawsuit about 99-01 (?) Honda transmissions, and is reportedly filing another lawsuit. The person I spoke with took my contact information and said they would get in touch with me whent hey were ready to file. Phone # for Stamell is 1-212-566-4356.
I paid to have the car fixed, but am still pursuing action on this. This was my second Honda, and I have been happy with the van until this happened. My next one will not be a Honda.
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