I bought my 2014 Honda Civic Si in May 2014, I was super excited because it was my first ever car I bought on my own with my own money. I co signed with my dad because I got a better interest rate. Bought it because it was what I thought would be the best of both worlds, relatively good on gas to travel to work with and have fun with cruising with a six speed manual.
Now here comes the frustration with Honda of North America and Honda of Danbury where I purchased the car.
I heard a grinding noise that came from the car once it started getting cold. I started to panic because this was a brand new car. Next chance I had I called the service manager of Honda of Danbury Scott Benz, he told me this is a common issue and he says it’s not doing any damage to the car and the part needs to be replaced. Scott told me it was the VTC actuator. I went in got it changed out, got the car back first time starting it the grinding noise was heard loud and clear. I drove home disappointed because there was nothing they could do for me. The noise was coming back loud and clear every time the car sat for an extended period of time.
Needless to say I called Honda of Danbury back and they decided to call Honda of North America to see if there is anything they could do for me. Scott calls me back and says I have to call Honda of North America because they told him there is no fix in the near future and basically I’m just going to have to wait for a fix from Honda of North America.
I called Honda of North America multiple times, they got into contact with their engineering department and they said they were working on a fix. I did a lot of research and come to find out my car isn’t the only car that this is happening to, there have been many accords and CRVs with the same problem.
The biggest gripe I have with Honda right now is that they basically told me there is nothing they can do for me, there is no fix and they gave me no timeline for a fix. So I bought a car with my hard earned money, I told Honda I had a problem and they told me sorry nothing we can do, it’s not causing damage or causing a safety concern. But how do they know it won’t cause future problems. So basically I’m out of luck and they basically spit in my face. If we buy a defective product we should get our money back for the product, right? Or at least an exchange for a similar none defective product.
It is also very embarrassing having to deal with this grinding noise around friends and family. Imagine buying a car and showing it off to your friends, and starting it up and having a loud obnoxious, rough grinding noise come from the engine. My friends and family look at me like, “what kind of car did you buy?†or wow I told you don’t buy a Honda. It’s just embarrassing, to think you get a new car and it sounds like it’s been used and abused for 20 years old. Also who’s to say it won’t cause the car more problems in the future?
Anyway this is my complaint to Honda, but Honda refuses to hear me and I am just so frustrated. I have no idea what to do because Honda of North America keeps giving me the run around, saying a fix is coming, a fix is coming, sorry there is nothing we can do for you at this point in time. I do not know what my options are and it’s just really disappointing to think I am getting taken advantage of. I bought a Honda thinking reliability wouldn’t be an issue, boy was I wrong.
This is the first time I’ve ever complained to anyone or anything besides Honda of North America and the dealership I bought the car from. I hope this could help me get advice at what my best options are.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I bought my 2014 Honda Civic Si in May 2014, I was super excited because it was my first ever car I bought on my own with my own money. I co signed with my dad because I got a better interest rate. Bought it because it was what I thought would be the best of both worlds, relatively good on gas to travel to work with and have fun with cruising with a six speed manual.
Now here comes the frustration with Honda of North America and Honda of Danbury where I purchased the car.
I heard a grinding noise that came from the car once it started getting cold. I started to panic because this was a brand new car. Next chance I had I called the service manager of Honda of Danbury Scott Benz, he told me this is a common issue and he says it’s not doing any damage to the car and the part needs to be replaced. Scott told me it was the VTC actuator. I went in got it changed out, got the car back first time starting it the grinding noise was heard loud and clear. I drove home disappointed because there was nothing they could do for me. The noise was coming back loud and clear every time the car sat for an extended period of time.
Needless to say I called Honda of Danbury back and they decided to call Honda of North America to see if there is anything they could do for me. Scott calls me back and says I have to call Honda of North America because they told him there is no fix in the near future and basically I’m just going to have to wait for a fix from Honda of North America.
I called Honda of North America multiple times, they got into contact with their engineering department and they said they were working on a fix. I did a lot of research and come to find out my car isn’t the only car that this is happening to, there have been many accords and CRVs with the same problem.
The biggest gripe I have with Honda right now is that they basically told me there is nothing they can do for me, there is no fix and they gave me no timeline for a fix. So I bought a car with my hard earned money, I told Honda I had a problem and they told me sorry nothing we can do, it’s not causing damage or causing a safety concern. But how do they know it won’t cause future problems. So basically I’m out of luck and they basically spit in my face. If we buy a defective product we should get our money back for the product, right? Or at least an exchange for a similar none defective product.
It is also very embarrassing having to deal with this grinding noise around friends and family. Imagine buying a car and showing it off to your friends, and starting it up and having a loud obnoxious, rough grinding noise come from the engine. My friends and family look at me like, “what kind of car did you buy?†or wow I told you don’t buy a Honda. It’s just embarrassing, to think you get a new car and it sounds like it’s been used and abused for 20 years old. Also who’s to say it won’t cause the car more problems in the future? Anyway this is my complaint to Honda, but Honda refuses to hear me and I am just so frustrated. I have no idea what to do because Honda of North America keeps giving me the run around, saying a fix is coming, a fix is coming, sorry there is nothing we can do for you at this point in time. I do not know what my options are and it’s just really disappointing to think I am getting taken advantage of. I bought a Honda thinking reliability wouldn’t be an issue, boy was I wrong.
This is the first time I’ve ever complained to anyone or anything besides Honda of North America and the dealership I bought the car from. I hope this could help me get advice at what my best options are.
- Jakub M., Southington, CT, US