Ok, I have been told that since I bought a Canadian model S from a Canadian who imported it to the states that the warranty is void. Is this possible? The motors, tranny, 99.999 of the parts are the same, how could this be? Isn't a Honda a Honda? Perhaps I ought to have read the small print on this deal? For some ignorance I may have to pay $$$ to stop the noise in my transmission. It sounds like a piece of metal is in there grinding away. I know about the TSB, but this sounds very wrong. They drained the fluid and checked for metal bits/flakes though found nothing out of the ordinary. I am a bit worried here. They say it will cost $700 to take it apart and look at the guts. What a drag! The funny part is that I was planning on getting the Comptech SC as soon as my Lude sells. BUT I haven't gotten it yet. Anyway, the guy that imported it didn'd say anything about the warranty. I was just excited to have the daytime running lights. Any thoughts? Thanks!
-K

 

I want daytime running lights!!

 

Yes, I'm afraid your local Honda is right on this one. All grey or personal import ... I believe anywhere in the world, the Honda policy is that it voids all warranty. Because the warranty is only covered in Japan since the car should or was for Japan I would believe so.

For example if your car was bought in Canada from a full Honda showroom, they have the car imported under another general classification. This classification is the normal type of showroom goods and is fully covered by warranty issued by Honda Canada.

Then one day, someone decides to buy one to the United States for whatsoever reason ... So, they grey or personal import the car to the United States. But it also voids the warranty covered in Canada because the car was not bound for the United States in the first place.

All Japan line-up cars have a blue identification type of metal plate somewhere in the car, usually pretty visible on the front once you pop the bonnet or something.

Anyway, that's the problem with grey or personal imports. I believe it is the same with any other Japanese car manufacturer to void all such warranties since they are pretty different. So, you get the picture now?

 

I think the warranty is actually funded as well as administered by the Honda company that imported the cars, in the US it is AHM. HMC is the manufacturer but not the one that warranties the car, so I don't think you have any options.. maybe you can find an aftermarket warranty cheaper than paying for repairs.

 

You *wanted* the daytime running lights?

 

Its the same policy with consumer electronics. I used to work for a Canadian based company, we had problems getting laptops serviced in the US (bought for the US office) that were purchased in CA. The warranty was void...they had to be sent back to CA to get any warranty work performed.

 

The thing I don't get though is how does this differ from the time I lived in the US for a year, I drove my car up, and had it serviced under warranty? I had no problems.
Now I don't know if the warranty becomes void in Canada too, but it might be worth your while to just drive up to Vancouver and have it serviced for expensive repairs there.

 

I'm sorry to say that there is nothing you can do stateside. There is a similar problem going on in the UK. Importers are bringing Skyline R34s and Evo VIs and the buyers lose the warrenty. It's a big happening over there. Just pickup a random issue of the UK mag "CAR". There is always a small blurb in there somewere.
Sorry dude, thats some rock and hard place ish right there.

 

The same thing came up with Odysseys... several brokers were selling gray vehicles, but they at least included a 3rd party warranty that covered the vehicle. If you did not negotiate this up front... also I don't believe 3rd party warranties cover TSB's.

 

The part I have a problem understanding is this. The 2 cars are the same. The canadian and the US. If it were a German spec car with different emissions, different crash standards, different engine management, different...................then it would make sense. These rules came up to protect market share, or to allow a company to have an area (Canada) only be able to purchase their cars. We, as the consumers, could feel screwed in the deal. I just needed a car and this one in Spokane WA was available. I never would have thought it to be an issue. Thanks!
-K