After hearing many discussions about bad experiences with Honda dealerships and warranty issues, I've decided to compile a list of people and their experiences with Honda service departments. I'm mainly looking for negative issues, but if you had a positive experience that needs to be recognized, please post it as well!

Please also post if you would like to remain anonymous or not, as these will be going to AHM at some point. Please don't start cursing and yelling, just tell why you took your car in, what happened at the dealer, and as much of the dialog as possible. Please remain as objective as possible.

Some of the main issues that I would like to hear about in particular are issues dealing with "aftermarket parts voiding your warranty" or refusal to do TSB's. Any bad experience is appreciated, as only if we have a large number of people replying will anything ever be done. Also, please keep the debating about certain issues down to a minimum. That is not what this thread is about. I just want to hear about your experiences.

Just for everyones info, I have had, for the most part, positive experiences with the service departments. Also, please mention the dealer name and any people you dealt with you can remember.

Thanks,

Blake

 

Here's my concise list:

- When the leather on my center console started to pull away I called them up and they told my there was no problem they would order another and call me when it came it which they did. When I got down there I was handed my new cover and a wrench and told to drop off the wrench and old console on my way out. This was a President Award winning dealer. Sunroad Pacific Honda.

All CUSH Honda Escondido:

- When I had my grind TSB done they scratched the crap out of my valve cover getting the header off. Cost me the car for 3 days while they ordered a new one.

- When I complained of clicking from the rearend they replaced the passenger side CV joint and in doing so broke the ABS wire. Had to take it back in for them to fix.

- When I had the clutch rattle TSB and seatbelt recall done they forgot to put the nuts on my engine mounts. I subsequently complained of a nasty rattle at 3000 RPM that they couldn't diagnose until I found the problem (engine not secured) while changing my oil.

- Shortly thereafter my transmission started to leak fluid. Had to take it in again to replace transmission seal.

- Shortly thereafter my accessory belt started squeeking. Turned out that a mounting bolt on the altenator was over torqued, cracking the casing.

All in all I've lost the use of my car for roughly 45 days due to being in the shop to repair dealer screwups. I didn't even get a loaner car dispite paying $1500 for HondaCare (sic) which is supposed to included a loaner. I was told "they don't do that". There are probably more but there are so many it's hard to keep track. Car was in the shop 3 of the last 5 weeks.

 

Autoway Honda of Clearwater, FL: flatly refused to perform TSBs even though the grind problem was apparent (and they didn't document it when I asked them to). Another dealer, Classic Honda of Orlando, 100 miles away, not only agreed to do it, they gave me a loaner car! Classic of Orlando gets a BIG

Classic Honda of Round Rock, Texas, kinda ticked me off. I have the HKS Hiper exhaust, and I overheard the techs saying, "yeah, this one races the car or else this exhaust wouldn't be here." Assumptions suck; at the time that this statement was made, I had never been on a track or drag raced my S (still haven't done either one in MY car). Later, I was given considerable flak for asking them to check my spark plugs to be certain they weren't working their way loose and told that I would be charged labor to check it. After mentioning that I was a founder of S2KCA and referring more than a few other owners to them, I found that those owners were getting a lot of questions and undue suspicion. As a result, we all started going to a different dealership.

 

Well, I've only had my S2000 for 3.5 months now, so I've only been to the dealer four times. I guess that I've been lucky that nothing really serious has happened to my car yet, because I have no faith that Hall Honda in Virginia Beach, Virginia would take care of it properly.

When I went for my first oil change (3800 miles), they asked if I wanted synthetic oil. When I told them that the owners manual said to not use that kind of oil until later, they looked at me, baffled, and said "Never heard that one before"

When I went for my 7500 service/checkup, I asked what services were performed. The service advisor told me they change oil and filter (again asked if I wanted synthetic), check fluid levels and rotate tires. I asked "Really? You rotate the tires?" The service advisor looked at something, then came back and told me that they couldn't rotate the tires, because they were different front and back. I got the impression that if I hadn't pointed this out to them, they would have rotated the tires. They have been selling the S2000 for 3 years now, there shouldn't be any confusion at this point about oil or tires.

I just got back from my dealer about TSB 02-042 (S2000 spark plugs). Before I scheduled an appointment, I had talked with my service team leader and explained what the TSB was about, since they had no idea about it. I told them I understood that they didn't have the parts in for it yet, but I just wanted them to check my spark plugs to make sure they were all tight. I know I can check them myself, but I just wanted them to do it.
After leaving my car with them, 5 minutes later they had my car back to me. The mechanic (backed by the service team leader) told me he couldn't check my plugs tightness, because I hadn't received a letter from Honda yet! I mean, I didn't want anything replaced, just checked for my peace of mind.

I had to show them the TSB I had printed out. They still had not seen it. How is it that we can get view these TSBs but the dealer still has no idea over a week after they are released?

Like I said above, I know these are not serious problems, but to me they show a lack of knowledge for a car they sell and service, and a lack of taking care of their customers....

 

I took my car to Carter Honda in Vancouver to have an alarm installed (Honda alarm). I was told it would take four hours for the install... It took three days. When I finally got the car back, the service advisor informed me that they had found a problem with the car. One of the latches for the soft top was defective and they had placed an order for a new latch. I would have to bring the car back on another day. When I got in the car, what I found was not a defective latch, but a broken latch. It was just hanging there. This was definitely not the way they got it. Brought the car back a couple of days later and they installed the latch, but it was the wrong latch. They ordered a driver's side latch instead of the passenger side latch. They wanted me to return another day to have it fixed. I asked if they could exchange it with one of the correct latches from one of the cars in the showroom (thus saving me another trip), they declined.

I live an hour from the dealership, so it cost me several hours of needless travel time and four days without my car (they did provide a loaner).

 

Have had my S2K for 4 months now. Took my car in to Germain Honda in Naples,Fl as one of my brake calipers were loose after a modification, also talked to the service manager - Bill Southard about the spark plug TSB. He fixed the caliper problem but the brakes also needed to be bled( I had suspected this but they confirmed it). He tightened my plugs to the 18 lb/ft and said he should have the parts the next week and to give him a call back - no charge or disagreement about the TSB. Also, asked him to look over the car as it was free of scratches etc. and that Iwould check it on the way out. He checked it and said he wished all owners would do the same. Nothing but positives so far for this service dept. - but then again there is a reason they are rated #1 by Honda in Florida for service.

 

Madison Honda, Madison, New Jersey. Excellent prices and service (so far) for my S2K.

They didn't remove the spring spacers when I took delivery (drove one block, saw the spacers were still there, drove back to the dealership and made a stink about it) and my delivery person didn't know squat about the car (I had to show her where the dipstick was and how to lower the roof) but otherwise they've been great. I'd suggest anyone in the tri-state area come to them for service if looking for competency.

 

Coral Springs Honda - Repaired paint peeling from front bumper under warrantee, no problem. Denied that there was a problem shifting into 2nd (2nd gear grind) and suggested that I didn't know how to shift properly (this was in Feb '00 before the TSB was released).

Rick Case Honda - I highly recommend their service department. They are very customer oriented and were able to diagnose a difficult vibration problem.

 

Martin Main Line Honda, Ardmore, PA (suburban Philly)- I have had great experience here, 30k miles, TSB's w/o complaint, vg service rep in Bill Haldeman. Highly recommended. Currently giving good help in major engine fix- see:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&threadid=72516

 

This is exactly the feed back I was looking to get. Lets keep it coming though. I know there are many more out there!

Thanks again!

Blake