QuestionDear Bill,
My name is Andjelka Milicevic, I am 53 year old and have 30 plus
years driving experience. I was very proud owner of the Honda
Civic LX Coupe 2004 model, until this happen to me. By the way
this is my second Honda. On the Friday 16, December 2005, I
was driving home, please note that day we had very heavy snow
storm, traffic everywhere. I was driving on Transcanada highway
toward exit St. Charles in Kirkland, Quebec. All of a sudden
rattling noise start coming from the engine, and engine lights
appeared on my dashboard. Engine shut down itself, so I was
forced to pull on the side of the road. I called my husband, who
came over and called CAA to tow the car to our house. My
husband called our Honda dealership, but they close at 1:00 PM
on Fridays.
First thing Monday morning we called the dealership, to tow the
car for the service. Later in a day, service man drove my car to
the garage for inspection. After hearing what did happened to
the car, he lifted the car and open the oil pan, in the pan it self
there were pieces of connecting rod. He then connected scope
for the diagnostic reading, where he had some technical
problems getting the information. He called another technician,
and between two of them they came with decision that the
reason for the damage was over revved engine. My husband
asked how is that possible when engine is protected from over
revving. Well then they said maybe that it is due to my miss
shifting. He said it happens to people when they downshift from
5th gear and by accident shift into 2 nd gear vs 4 th gear. Which
I am sure I did not do that.
He took us to see his advisor who had discussion with another
individual, before inviting us to see him. He repeated what we all
ready heard from his technician. At that time he could not make
any decision before he contact his Regional Honda
Representative. He was contemplation that in worst case
scenario, we will have to pay for the labor. When we mentioned
all the warranties and extra warranties that we were offered by
them and we purchased them in amount of $1200 plus, how it is
possible not to be covered.
Next day he called and left the message to call him. Once we
did, he give us explanation that his Regional Honda
Representative refused our claim and that I am fully responsible
for the cost of repair. When I asked if i can take my car to
another garage for inspection, he said I will loose Honda
warranties on the car. How I can loose warranty, I think I never
had one in first place even do I did purchase all the extras. I
remember salesperson telling me 'Madam, with all the
warranties you have you are bullet proof".
I called and requested to see Regional Representative, but they
refused to give me her number since she does not deal, nor have
a time to talk with public. after that I called Honda Canada
Customer Relationship Services, requesting to talk with
Supervisor Dave Arsenieu, he was on the phone that time and I
left voice message. Since he did not call me. I called back to get
the same response he is on the phone please live him message
and he will call back. So he did not call yet, and i left four
detailed messages on his voice box.
This is my story, I am left with no car over the holidays. They
told me that they do not have loner car available. I do not know
what to do now. All the money that I spend on extra protection
is worthless. I feel that I was taken for a ride. What is worst in all
this, is the adviser comment, "Listen, who ever you, or Honda
Canada will pay me for the repairs ".
What I can do to convince these people that just maybe my car is
not at par. Why they are acting this way now, where is that voice
of confidence in their product now, all that sweet talk and BS.
Am I the only one with this kind of problem with Honda.
Thank you for your time and understandings
Andjelka Milicevic
98 Kirkland Blvd,
Kirkland Quebec H9J 1N9
Email: milicevicl@videotron.ca
514-630-4556
AnswerAndjelka:
I have not heard of this problem before. If I had an experience like this I would not be likely to buy another Honda either. The only thing I can offer is to go to the dealer and ask them to drive with you and show you how you are driving improperly that would cause such a failure. I would also go on a letter writing campaign to Honda to see if someone can either convince you that you caused the problem or that Honda can take some responsibility for the car. Also, I'm not familiar with Canada as much as with the U.S., but there should be an arbitration board as we have here that can settle these types of disputes.
Good luck and let me know how it turns out. Sorry I can't be of more help.
Bill
