Happy Thanksgiving!

I am looking for advice anyone might be able to offer me regarding my situation with Honda. I bought my 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid in 2007 with 68 000 km from a private dealer in Toronto (not Honda). Because I am not a mechanic and know very little about cars I decided to take my car to Honda dealers for service. I knew I would pay a premium price but I wanted to make sure I took good care of my $15500 investment. I took my car to Honda more than once a year for service and did some oil changes at home with my Dad. Each time they told me my car was in good shape and needed no work.

A couple of weeks ago I noticed my car was "shuddering" when accelerating from a stop. Next the check engine light came on. When this happened I took it to a private mechanic near to where I was at the time as I was afriad to drive it and damage it further. At that shop they told me it was a transmission code, they also told me the transmission fluid had never been changed. I did some research and found out this was a fairly common problem called a CVT transmission "Judder." Honda Canada sent out a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) in 2008 to their dealers so they would know how to deal with the problem. They also indicated in the TSB that Honda would extend teh warranty to 160000km and 7 years old if a car came in with this issue. I thought I was Ok because it is a 2005 with 142 000km on it and I had taken it to Honda for service. I was wrong...

I took it to Markham Honda where they test drove it and confirmed it was the CVT Judder mentioned in the TSB. They also quickly told me there was no way the extended warranty would be honoured because the transmission fluid had never been changed. They also said Honda doesn't pay for repairs when people don't maintain their cars. I was shocked by this treatment. I expect Honda mechanics to know my car and to properly maintain it when I take it to them for service.

I also called Honda Canada several times and they have told me I am on my own because I didn't take car of my car. They said if I have an issue with the service at a dealership I would have to take it up with them as they are separate businesses. Separate businesses? So Honda Canada is saying they are not accountable whatsoever for the service at their own dealerships? They know this is a fault in the transmission and they refuse to even consider helping me.

The cost of a new transmission will be $3000+, I cannot afford this as I went back to school and am starting over in my career again at this time. The car is getting worse and I need it to get to work everyday. Can anyone offer advice for how to deal with Honda Canada, Honda dealerships or advice on repairing my car??

I should mention that Markham Honda is the most recent dealership I went to, I moved a lot and have taken it to several for service. Less than 1 year ago however, Markham Honda serviced my car and gave me a sheet of paper indicating all fluids in my car were in good condition, including the transmission fluid. I am considering the Better Business Bureau or a Civil lawsuit but in the mean time, I need to get to work...

Thanks for any help!

Allison

 

I personally have never had to but here in Arizona when we run out of option we goto the news.

We have Ch3 On Your Side and such. The BBB would also be a great option, let them know you are not going to drop this matter. Even better you have a slip saying a Honda Dealer checked the fluid and signed off that it was good at the time, no need for change.

I don't see how the same dealership can say "Good Fluids" and "Didn't change Fluid as needed" in the same breath. Next time you talk with them let them know you will be going to the News and BBB with the matter.

 

Do you have the previous bills from honda ?If you do there should be mentioned the services you have gone through.Check in your "owner's manual" the milage at which the transmission fluid should be flushed. Everytime you visiting the dealer they offer you to do service A, B, C, etc.
which should include the transmission service.If they offered you any of the service that includes the transmission service and you have declined it ,it will be your responsibility,but it should be protocoled in the estimate that they give you with any service they do.What is the intervals at which the transmission oil should be flushed?

 

Having previously run the parts department, and done warranty administration of an Ontario Honda dealership, I can say "Most Honda delerships try to sell you everything they can for maintenance" For non CVT equiped Civic's Honda Canada Inc's statement is initially 96,000 km, then every 45,000 km, not sure if the same for CVT equiped Civic's. Usually the dealer service department tries to oversell service, althougth it is also the customers responsibility to read maintence schedules, and perform recomended maintenance if they are to keep their warranty in effect. It is not necessary to have it performed at a Honda Canada Inc franchised dealership, just have receipts for supplies purchased, and work done. Cannot understand a dealership not trying to sell a 96,000 km service, as it is in the $350 to $500 range. If a customer declined the full scheduled service, we would have documented in the repair order(ie getting an oil change only). Without seeing your repair order history, usually it is the customers negligence for not properly maintaining the car. What does your repair order closest to 96,000 km state for maintence done/declined?