ok, heres the story: I have a 2002 S2000 that is still under warranty (about 500 miles left). I began to lower the top the other day, and the driver side latch broke. The latch would not lock into place, like it is supposed to. Not noticing it, I begin to depress the roof button, and the top won't go down all the way; the latch was preventing it. I then brought the car to Honda and they said no problem, the latch, although troublesome to replace, would be covered under the warranty. The next day I begin to do the same thing, lower the roof; although this time I have to hold the driver's side latch up while I do it. Again the top won't go down. I notice the passenger side latch has broke too!!! So I raise the roof, and find out the latch has punctured the fabric on the roof! It is very evident when looking at the top that it was the failed latches that punctured the top.

My question is: Should the top be covered under the warranty from Honda along with the latches that they have already agreed to replace without question?

-I am speaking to the Honda District Rep. on Friday, because the local service department was unable to make a decision on the fabric top. I am basically posting this now, so I can have some sort of ammunition if the rep. gives me a hard time. Thanks for your replies in advance.

 

I would say yes, the top should be replaced. Good luck, but I think others have had the same problem but they wouldn't replace the top.

 

Could you post pics of this, alot of ppl seem to have this problem i wouldn't mind a visual of wtf is happening...

 

FCUK yeah it should be covered! The damage to the top is totally consequential to their faulty part. Thats like saying you're screwed if you buy an Explorer with faulty Firestone tires.

They only thing is, they can (by CA law) charge some amount of depreciation (betterment) on the top, as you would be getting a brand new top. For example, if your top was torn up, faded, frayed etc, they might make you pay half for the new top. If your top is PRISTINE, like almost brand new, they might hit you up for 10% of the cost of the parts and labor.

 

I will see if I can get some pictures some time today. Of course as soon as I speak to the district rep, I will post what he has told me as well. If I get some good response from this post, I might even print it off and see if this will give me some leverage, if needed, when talking to him.

 

it SHOULD be covered...hopefully it is...

 

Well, I HOPE it is covered. However, playing Devil's advocate, I will present an extreme example:

Supposed your window stops going down (a common problem that is covered by warranty), and while driving and fidgeting with the window, you crashed the car. Now, should Honda cover your crash and give you a new car under warranty?

The issue is when does Honda's responsibility end and when does the owner's responsibility begin. Your latch broke, it is covered by warranty, no question. Yet you continue to raise/lower the top with the broken latch and it caused damage to your roof, now is that Honda's fault or your fault?

I am not saying you are at fault, but I am just saying it could be argued that way. Good luck with your roof, I do hope it is covered under warranty.

 

I see where you are going, and obviously it is not entirely the same thing.

Consider this: Something goes wrong on my engine, I know something is wrong, and on my way to Honda, whatever was wrong actually blows my engine. I would assume this all would be covered under warranty, so the operation of the roof would, in my eyes, be nearly the same thing.

Although, I will add, that I did not realize the latch was broken as I was lowering my roof; otherwise, I would not have lowered it. I mean what do I have to do, double check the latch each and every time to ensure that it has not broke???

Again, I am not argueing, I appreciate all the comments, I am just trying to THINK OUT LOUD.

 

Yes, I believe the damage should be covered. Be carefull which Atlanta area dealer you choose, some of them are not on your side.

 

R Duff is absolutely correct. Any part that is damaged as a direct result of the failure of another covered part, whether or not the secondary damage would have been covered on it's own, should be covered under the warranty.

The dealer has already acknowledged that the latches are covered under the warranty. If the top was damaged as a direct result of the failure of the latches, then the top should be covered under the warranty too.

Don't back off on this one. If your top was damaged by the failure of the latches, they own you a new top!

Good luck & let us know how it goes.
Steve R.