ginahoy

My '03 Ody has had several recalls over the years and my wife's '06 CR-V has had two or three. The dealer where we currently live requires two trips for recalls - one to 'inspect' and determine which part(s) are needed, and a second to do the repair. I know this is often standard fare for other types of repairs but I would think most recall repairs could be resolved in a single trip.

One exception was the big transmission recall back in '04... the letter from Honda Corporate noted that a pre-inspection was required to determine which of two possible repairs was needed for my vehicle. But the previous dealer resolved other recalls in a single trip, whereas the current dealer requires two as a matter of policy.

In 2013 when I received the recall to add an electronic noise filter to the SRS control unit, I called ahead to se if they had the part. When the service writer said I had to bring the vehicle in first to determine what parts were needed, this time I objected. He has my VIN so this makes no sense, at least not to me, and he could offer no logical explanation. I don't live near the dealer and don't normally drive in that area.

I called Honda Corporate to complain. They agreed to call the service manager and the next day I got a call from the dealer to schedule the REPAIR. Yes!! I won.

I'm now trying to take care of two recalls -- drivers side airbag (Takata) and a new SRS control unit. Apparently the filter "fix" was deemed inadequate. So I went through the same debate, different service writer. When I said I would contact Honda Corporate as I had before, to straighten it out, he got defensive and said he was just trying to do what was best for me, to ensure I get the correct part, for my safety. I wasn't buying it. Upon my insistence, he scheduled the appointment for next week without a pre-inspection visit.

What I don't understand is why a dealer would make it a policy to require two service appointments for recall work. I know they want to keep their inventory to a bare minimum. I get that. But they end up eating unnecessary labor. Or do they? In a case like this, does Honda pay the dealer for the pre-inspection? Ah... life has taught me the art of cynicism.

PSI GUY

iTrader: (2)

Well, speaking as a dealer technician, we sometimes have to make two appointments to do such inspections, then order parts. Because it is a recall, and only certain vin ranges are affected, each vehicle that is inspected and if it needs parts replaced gets the part ordered by it's vin number so Honda can track the repairs and vehicles. Some recalls we can order parts in advance but the airbag ones that require replacement of the inflators have to be ordered by vin, hence the inspection, then repair.

ginahoy

Thanks for quick reply. But they have my VIN.

PSI GUY

iTrader: (2)

Since the cars could of had two different supplier's part installed on the assembly line, and even though Honda has your vin and knows that it may potentially have an affected unit installed it does not know for sure, just that your vin number is one of the vehicles that may have the affected part installed. Of all the things we can track down back to the assembly line, when parts have different manufacturers mid run, they are not tracked to the individual vin, only the run of the vin ranges.

ginahoy

That's different than what you indicated in your previous.

I can see how it's possible that the prescribed repair is unnecessary or replacement part is different for a specific vehicle, which can only be known via inspection. But if you're going to check a car into the service system and have a mechanical visually check a part, seems like it would be more efficient to have the part(s) on hand to save the cost of an addition service contact and whatever labor is involve to access the part.

That is, unless the dealer receives more money then there's a separate inspection ticket. Which is why I asked the question.

PSI GUY

iTrader: (2)

No, that is not the case and we cannot order the part until it has been inspected, everything is tracked via vin number so parts cannot be ordered in advance, that's Honda policy. Odds are if your 12 year old Honda has not had any issues so far, if it's that much of an inconvenience to you, don't make the appointment to do the recall. The dealer doesn't make any additional money doing two trips, neither does the technician so it's a lose-lose-lose situation for everyone.