Kephrem1

I recently took my car in to the dealership because of check engin light. When they ran the diagnostic update they informed me that I needed a software update which turned the check engine light off.

My question is would I still need to pay for this or should this have been covered by the manufactures (even though there was no recall for this).

According to them, if this code was not cleared out due to the software update, I would have needed to change the catalytic converter. Does this makes sense?

thanks all for your help.

90crxdxb16

What year accord and how many miles? I needed the same thing for my 2003 accord, was throwing codes for both O2 sensors, it required the product update. Light hasn't come back on since. Dealer charged me $99.50 with tax was $105.47. I asked why it wouldn't be covered under good will. They told me no since it is out of warranty and im not the original owner. I called corporate and they said the same. I asked them if what they were telling me was not to buy any used Honda's since they wouldn't stand behind the issues with their software. They didn't like that. I have owned over a dozen Honda's and everyone in my family drives one. Have never ever had a ECM issue before. another dealer my dad bought his CRZ from said they would have not charged me fore it but my local dealer did. Guy on the phone from the corporate office said no they wouldn't cover it. So i'm hearing conflicting stories. I'm in the process of writing a letter to the corporate office in hopes of getting my money refunded since, my car only has 116,000(just outside warranty) and this not something I could not have had repaired anywhere except at the dealer.

blackaneseman

software updates are covered under warranty if you still have coverage. 3yr/60,000km. or may have a different warranty coverage if the update was released anytime after the release of the car.

GoLowDrew

Which engine do you have? Just wondering. Let me guess, V6 and it was misfiring.

I "paid" for mine update because it was out of warranty.

Actually, they consider it a "diagnostic fee." They end up replacing 2 spark plugs. That fee is charged no matter what, like a co-pay for a doctor's visit.

So cut it either way, I still had to pay for it.

$125

KWayRacing

While I tend to agree with everyone that vehicle programming should be similar to Windows. When patches are available you can just download them however at some point you have to ask when is your car not covered by some kind of warranty/product update/recall. Vehicle owners today think everything that ever goes wrong with their vehicle should be taken care of no matter how old /many miles are on their car. OP- you drove your car 116k with no issue. Why shouldn't you pay? To GoLow if your car had less than 80k that should have been warranted by your emissions warranty 8 years/ 80k. The spark plug fouling issue on v6s 08+ is premature- I agree. But come on guys when is your car officially out of warranty?

GoLowDrew

I was out of 3/36, but within the 5/60 powertrain. Because I took care of it when it happend, there was not emission or cat damage, just the plugs. So it was not covered. I'm sure if I waited and let it do damage, then it might be covered. But they will still probably stick me with the bill for the plugs.

The service advisors (from all of my experience with both cars), are about money first, and charge the customer first.

Take the rear brakes issues on the Accord. I paid for mine. Then when I asked the service advisor about that, he gave me the paperwork the next time I stopped by. If I did not ask, he was not going to offer.

swordofdoom

Wow they ripped you guys off good with false misleading software updates! I had a misfire which was due to 1 spark plug. Changed out the plug, went to Autozone, cleared off all the codes and BAM no more check engine light. Ran smooth again.

GoLowDrew

I have to disagree with that. Yes, we all got "ripped off" at the dealership and that's the nature of the beast, but there is a software update. I'm too lazy to find it. Basically, it makes to VCM less sensitive, so it kicks in less. I'm not sure if it's related to the one about oil consumption too.

Yes, I could just reset the code, and change the plug. Would have save me $100+. I guess time will tell if the update really makes a difference. Plugs should last 90K mile (?), I see no reason not to just change them at 50K miles (to avoid this).

I have two J35 V6 cars. I just might do that on the other. $100 buys enough plugs to last the life of the car.

swordofdoom

A lot of reviews and complaints about the software update didn't change anything for the J35 Engines nor the oil consumption problem.

0Steve@Spreen

Best advice, sell the car before the warranty runs out, THAT way you won't ever have to pay for updates or repairs