Update on the Honda Civic issue
Tonight on the way home from work I called Honda’s main customer service office to find out what I could on my own about this supposed service bulletin that went out saying my car’s upper rear control arm kit was defective, which makes the two rear tires wear unevenly, messing up the alignment of the vehicle.
I spoke with a very nice woman named Kawana who said that if a service bulletin goes out about a defect on a vehicle, almost all of the time, Honda will pay for the repair. NOT WHAT REDDELL TOLD ME.
Even more interesting, she looked up my car’s VIN and couldn’t find any service bulletin attached to it. I advised her that I was 100 percent sure there was something wrong with my vehicle, and she said that while she believed me, she was a bit confused that the dealership would mention a bulletin that she couldn’t pull up.
She advised me to call the dealer and get the bulletin number, and then call Honda back (unfortunately she didn’t have a direct line I could call her back at) to follow up. She said that while my vehicle is out of warranty, Honda makes every effort to repair defective parts and they would forward my information on to their case department to determine if they were going to pay for all of the repair or part of it.
I didn’t get into my whole “When I buy a brand new car, I don’t expect to have to fix defects on my dime that have been defective SINCE THE CAR WAS MADE, not just something is wrong because the car is aging” argument yet because they couldn’t really do much without the service bulletin number.
So it’s going to be interesting to see if Reddell was lying to me about the service bulletin. I mean, obviously something is wrong with my car because it makes a roaring noise and shakes. But maybe it just needs its wheels balanced. Or maybe it does have a defective upper rear control arm kit, but Kawana just couldn’t find it in the computer. Or maybe it applies to some Civics but not mine (though she said she searched for bulletins of this type on all Civics, and all she found was something on Accords).
Either way, I already know Reddell wasn’t telling me the whole truth. I need to get that service bulletin number to know for sure. It will be interesting to see if they give it to me (according to Kawana, they are required to give it to me if I ask).
More follow up later.
Technorati tags: Honda, 2007 Civic, rear control arm, defect
I thought about buying a Honda once but got nothing but attitude from the Honda dealers. They were all, “we’re Honda, we don’t negotiate; we don’t have to.” So I have a Subaru. That has some sort of defect in the transmission that has been there since day one that the dealership insists is not a defect. My point? You cannot win.
Yeah, I mean I know that all cars suck at one point or another. I was just hoping mine wouldn’t.
I still love my little Civ, I’m just irritated that I’m having so much trouble getting something fixed that obviously was made wrong in the first place. Shouldn’t that violate some kind of lemon law? Or maybe it’s got to be something more serious, I don’t know. Where’s Nader when you need him?
I really don’t want to believe that Reddell is trying to screw me, because they have been really awesome so far, but they’re a dealership and all dealerships are out to make as much money off you as possible. They were willing to negotiate with me when I bought the car, but I initially tried to buy it at Darrell Waltrip–where they insinuated I was poor and they didn’t have to negotiate with me because they “sell to rich Brentwood people with cash every day.” Hrmph.
Such a fun drama to watch, not your trouble of course, but the way Reddell is handing it. I’m anxious to see how it plays out, and I definitely hope it’s in your favor!
I love my FORD by the way.
I love that you are fighting back and not just taking this at face value. I suspect you’ll get this repaired for free since you’ll end up making them look so foolish!
p.s.–tell “Ian” thanks, lol!
Haha, Summer I know. Ian’s 96 Mustang has only had one major thing (head gasket leak, $500) go wrong, and that was just here in the last couple of years. When I called Honda to complain AGAIN last week, I said that if I wanted a shitty car riddled with problems I would have bought a Chevy.
[...] you remember from this and this about my 2007 Honda Civix EX’s defective rear upper control arm, which in turn jacked up my [...]
Another update on the Honda Civ issue « The Ride Home said this on January 8, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I just had my upper arms done also. Got nothing but attitude from a young snotty girl. at honda. Boy what attitude. My car now going in for the 4th time for repairs. Now its the fuse box. Makes a noise when i turn ignition on REAL SLOW. Like there is a short. ANYHOW, this civic is a piece of shit. This model has been plagued with preoblems from day one. FUNNY how Honda doesnt do recalls but only hidden bulletins. They want you to get out of warranty then say you are resp[osible for the fix. They have become a real scumbag company. Last product i buy from them !!!!!!