I came across a site named "carcomplaints.com" as I searched for a 1998 Honda Accord and "paint problems" came up on the search. Curious, I looked up to see if the S2000 had any documented "complaints."

Click HERE for link

Here it is for those who don't want to click above...
Am.Honda is full of it. I purchased a 2003, Honda s2000 from a young man who treated this car as though it were a precious stone. The car was purchased in Aug 06, in excellent condition. I don't have a garage so I keep it covered when not in use. I treat it as though it is my baby. I loved this car until I had a run in with Am. Honda Corp. Three months ago, I noticed the snap on the passenger side was loose and then I noticed difficulty in putting the top down. This snap would have a tendency to get hung up in the catch when you release the top. Then I noticed all of a sudden, a certain sheen over the rails and in certain spots on the top. The last straw was when I discovered two tears on the passenger side. One near the snap and the other over the rail. I began to put duct tape to try and prevent the snap from breaking and the tears from becoming a hole. That did not work. By the time I took to Sheeny Honda, the snap was broken. It was examined and I was told that honda would not pay for the top because it was no longer under warranty. I told the service rep that a convertible top should last longer than three years. I left there feeling like I had a big expense on my hands. I contacted a reputable company to inquire about the cost of the top. I was told there price labor would be $600, but the parts had to come from Honda. When I called Honda the cost was aprox. $3000 plus making it just about $4000 to replace. A suggestion was made to me after someone else looked at the top and informed me that the top was thinning on both sides, and I decided to take it. My next visit was to Landmark Honda, where I obtained a special bulletin about this very top. The first print I read was,"Broken Snap", and it went on to explain about the pins in the top mechanism. The next part discussed the tears and how to patch and repair but suggested you not try to do it yourself. The real kicker was the bulletin had been updated 2004 and the years for this defect started with 2000 to 2000. I understand they just changed the top in 2006/07. Honda is on my don't touch, don't buy list. I was told by an area Manager, a Mr Reidel, from Pohanka Honda, that my top was wear and tear. He implied that the previous owner changed the top and that was the reason why there would be a rip on the rail. The broken snap is what caused the hole. I had forgotten to bring my bulletin but I did not hesitate to mention it. He said he never heard of a recall on that issue. I never said anything about recall. I suggested he pull it up in his system and no one moved. The outcome was what did I want them to do? I said replace the top. He offered 50/50 and I refused. He nastily walked away with the manager and service rep with a smirk on his face saying then I withdraw my offer. I asked for his card and said, Honda is going to replace this top. His response was we are Honda. I have been to the better business bureau and consumer affairs (State)with this issue. I wrote the president of the company and sent the letter certified with return receipt. No one acknowledged the bulletin. It was as though it never existed. I called Richmond to find out what happen to the mediation and was told they refused. It was suggested I take them to small claims court but consult a lawyer first. I can't seem to get a consultation, everyone seem to think i to miart gegeid reeidnvurgmipx wsv ytesit vu and the sheen was I want them to take the case. They say, in so many words, I have a case, but they don't handle this kind of case. I know why. There is no money in it for them. It is not always about money. What happen to Goodwill, truth, ethics, all and all, whats fair and write. They put a defective top under warranty and trying to make me believe that no one else knows about it. I can't believe the public or owners of the s2000 didn't grip about that top and if it was replaced, it was replaced with the same defective top. I have been looking for a website to complain to the world about honda's tactics. Thank god for your site. I have only just begun. I have plans to take them to the hoop if I have to, to get my top replaced. It actually will rain in the car if it is not covered. I find them disgusting. This is the first time I have dealt with consumer affairs and they did not force the issue. They let them get away without a fight. The good old boys with dirty noses. This is not over and will not be over until the fat lay sings. This has to be known. It is unfair to the consumer. Thank you!!! I pray you use this baby boomer's complaint. I need your network.

So...what has me annoyed?

Well...let's see...she's the 2nd owner...and the car has 51k+ miles...she doesn't garage...but shares she covers it (right). When the issue STARTED, she attempted to FIX it herself with (drumroll...duck tape) and then only afterwards...does she visit the dealer...in reading this story, she visits what seems like 2 or 3 dealers. C'mon, suck it up...life is not a handout.

Oh...and lady...learn to use paragraphs...

 

is it really 3-4M to repair? Even BMW tops aren't that expensive.

 

No...a new top is about $800 and the labor is about $500 = $1,300

 

Have you seen the guy In MI complaining that Honda won't honour his 6 yr 100K warranty -> he has 8 years and 99.000 miles. Even my dear departed Mom knew that it was the first occurance of 6/100, not the latter of.... You should U-Tube it, he has props and all - reminds me of some of the weaker corp presentations I've been blessed with attending over the years. Best of all is he is from Detroit - surely he knows someone who can tell him his case is universally without merit, no?

 

Ha, try getting that price at a Honda dealership. Quotes are typically closer to $2-3k.

The tops on our cars are not designed well, and Honda doesn't stand up for its design.

Still, there's a limit - convertble tops do wear out with time and use.

 

Duct tape.

 

I was using the brand name...

 

Actually, DUCK tape was the original spelling. Duck vs duct

 

That says it all