Honda Headaches

my3boys · #1 05/21/14, 02:30 PM

So I take the 2009 Pilot in for the 60,000 mile oil change/checkup. Among other things they tell me that the lower control arm bushings need to be replaced, won't pass inspection, yada yada. They wanted $700 to replace. Apparently the part is not that expensive, but the labor is.

Okay, so we come to find out that this has been an issue with them, specifically the 2009-2012 models, yet no recall. There were so many issues, Honda even updated the part, so they knew/know.

Dh is going to give the dealer grief about it, but is there any other recourse? Who can we contact/alert if Honda won't step up to the plate? I do hear some individual dealerships are doing the right thing, but probably not most. Ours sure didn't. The guy never said a word to me.

Dh is not too happy right now.

driftwood · #2 05/21/14, 06:49 PM

i took my jeep patriot for free inspection at dealer......54,000 miles they said $500 for the same thing as yours.......
driven may diff vehilces, all others have lasted past 100,000 miles.....we paid and told them we wouldn't be back....
we should have left and had local mechanic check and or install......also could watch youtube and do ones self...............feel your pain

Molly Mckee · #3 05/21/14, 10:57 PM

Dealers make a lot of money by up selling. I would not have a dealer work on my car unless it's warranty related or a recall. Find an honest independent mechanic, there really are some.

sss3 · #4 05/21/14, 11:46 PM

I have a Honda. Took it to Dealer; he wanted $1200 for repairs. Neighbor recommended someone; that guy did repairs for a fraction of that price. He has a place downtown; which can be a pain because of parking.

Harry Chickpea · #5 05/21/14, 11:51 PM

I had a nice looking used Honda Accord in FL. I found the Honda name to be way over-rated and repairs constant and expensive, to the point that I wanted to get away from the brand when the problems became too expensive.

Alice Kramden · #6 05/22/14, 11:59 AM

Get a second opinion from an independent mechanic. Dealer service departments are all about upselling you on expensive work you may or may not need. Its where the dealership makes its money.

beaglebiz · #7 05/23/14, 05:55 AM

I agree with the independent mechanic idea. Fond yourself an honest one, and stick with him (her). I have had the same mechanic for about 20 years. Im truly blessed, and consider he and his wife friends. I really loved my honda, but now I have a toyota and I love that. it only goes to the dealer for warranty stuff...my mechanic changes oil, sells me tires and does everything I need.

beaglebiz · #8 05/23/14, 05:59 AM

I thought Id mention this too....Once, when the kids were small, I bought a used Ford Windstar mini van. Head gaskt went. Vehicle had about 50,000 miles. I called ford directly, told them I was shocked they designed a vehicle that would need this kind of serious repair at only 50,000 miles(I had all the maintenance records), and I would not be buying a ford again. They contacted the dealership and I did get the repair free, but the dealership told me I needed some other thing while they were working on the engine, (which I do not believe), so they got their money on the end. That ended my dealer repair journey. never again

Molly Mckee · #9 05/23/14, 09:19 AM

We had a problem with a chevy van engine. It was a know defect, but not recalled. My DH couldn't get any help from the local dealer so he replaced the engine. After he was finished he needed a part and called the largest dealer in that part of the state. They said to bring the van in, they replaced the engines for $50.00 as a customer service. Guess where we bought our next car? So sometimes it pays to shop the dealers, some of the biggest are big for a good reason.

squirrelwhisper · #10 05/25/14, 06:42 AM

Tell the dealer you want to see the Honda Area rep. If Honda knows that there is a problem, speaking to the rep, will give you the best chance of having it done under warranty ( no charge).

I worked for Honda for 21 years as a Warranty Administrator.

Quote:

Originally Posted by my3boys

So I take the 2009 Pilot in for the 60,000 mile oil change/checkup. Among other things they tell me that the lower control arm bushings need to be replaced, won't pass inspection, yada yada. They wanted $700 to replace. Apparently the part is not that expensive, but the labor is.

Okay, so we come to find out that this has been an issue with them, specifically the 2009-2012 models, yet no recall. There were so many issues, Honda even updated the part, so they knew/know.

Dh is going to give the dealer grief about it, but is there any other recourse? Who can we contact/alert if Honda won't step up to the plate? I do hear some individual dealerships are doing the right thing, but probably not most. Ours sure didn't. The guy never said a word to me.

Dh is not too happy right now.

Alice In TX/MO · #11 05/25/14, 06:47 AM

Giving the dealer grief isn't beneficial.

Yvonne's hubby · #12 05/25/14, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by my3boys

So I take the 2009 Pilot in for the 60,000 mile oil change/checkup. Among other things they tell me that the lower control arm bushings need to be replaced, won't pass inspection, yada yada. They wanted $700 to replace. Apparently the part is not that expensive, but the labor is.

Okay, so we come to find out that this has been an issue with them, specifically the 2009-2012 models, yet no recall. There were so many issues, Honda even updated the part, so they knew/know.

Dh is going to give the dealer grief about it, but is there any other recourse? Who can we contact/alert if Honda won't step up to the plate? I do hear some individual dealerships are doing the right thing, but probably not most. Ours sure didn't. The guy never said a word to me.

Dh is not too happy right now.

buy a sixties vintage ford... restore it from the ground up. problem solved... along with saving several american jobs.

Rick · #13 05/25/14, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Chickpea

I had a nice looking used Honda Accord in FL. I found the Honda name to be way over-rated and repairs constant and expensive, to the point that I wanted to get away from the brand when the problems became too expensive.

I'm curious Harry - what year was it?

I had a used 92 civic Hatchback that got 40 MPH in city driving.

We put thousands of miles on it with oil changes, brakes and tires.

We bought a 91 wagon new and it was totaled at 115,000 miles, $2600 to restore it (including pulling the frame out straight again), and it is still running loose in the big town with 1/4 million miles on the dial.

Daughters 2002 civic sedan has had some suspension issues.

my3boys · #14 05/27/14, 10:42 AM

Dh called two independent repair shops. Places we have taken our other cars to and were pleased. They had trouble finding the part so they couldn't even give us an estimate. We are trying one other place, I believe.

The other repair places trying to find the part is how we found out there was an ongoing problem. One of the people that worked in the parts department came right out and told them!