Hi,

I just bought a 2000 Accord from a dealership today. It was in the shop this morning getting new front rotors and brakes. Before I got the car I was pretty fanatical about questioning the reconditioning tech about the inspection and possible transmission issues.

The car has 96k. When I left the dealership, I took it to a parking lot and was going into reverse. When I apply gas while going into reverse, the car would go 8-12 feet and then stop, even while I was still giving gas.

When I didn't apply gas or I let up on the gas, pressed the brakes and let go, it would roll in reverse fine.

I just dropped it back off at the dealership and showed the sales manager. He called me on the way home and said his techs think it's the a loose self-adjusting brake catching.

Does this sound plausible? Does it seem like a transmission symptom? It seems to drive fine, didn't notice gears catching and rolls fine in reverse until I actually give it gas.

I have 72 hours or 150 miles before my purchase is locked in. I spent 4200 on the car. Thanks in advance to anyone who helps me with this!

 

Even if it were the rear brakes catching it would be a bit more dramatic than simply stopping after 8-12 feet. Self adjusters are on the rear brakes. The car would act like when you try to drive with the parking brake still on. If it felt like that then it may have been the self adjuster(s) are in need of replacement.

 

It would get momentum and then just lead up to a full stop. As soon as I hit the brakes and let the brakes go again, it would roll in reverse (without me applying gas).

Does it seem like it might be a transmission issue? I called a good local shop this morning, but the tech was perplexed as well by the brake behavior.

Thanks so much for the response!

 

If touching the brakes 'clears' the problem there may be loose or broken components. When applying the brakes it re-aligns and releases the brakes.
This would make even more sense if the car has rear drums, as drums are self-energizing.

 

I came back in to the dealership, they said they checked the brakes (disc brakes), said they couldn't replicate the problem. I tested it, worked fine.

Left the dealership with it, drove 5 miles, tested it in a parking lot again...same thing. I am guessing it was the transmission failing, and it didn't manifest until it warmed up.

I turned the deal down, the whole experience felt bad.

Thanks for the help, Mike!

 

Wise decision.