Dealer staff resolved warranty issue with Honda of America - Earl the Hondaholic
The engine of our 2012 CRV with 81000 mi developed a intermittent noise on cold start-ups. This is a problem on a few Honda models using the same engine. The warranty was extended to 120000 on 2011 and some older Honda's with the same defective engine part but not on the 2012's.
Because the noise only happened during the first start up on cold days after it was parked all night, several evening drop offs were required before a Honda Tech could observe the symptom in the morning. During that time I was being helped by E. Mendoza a service consultant at the dealer. That consultant understood the difficulty of diagnosing the problem and was committed to identifying it and getting it fixed. Good Job, Thank You! I understood that Honda of America was contacted about my vehicle and the problem who then authorized the Dealer to replace the defective part. My understanding was that Honda of America would most likely pay the dealer for the repair. The vehicle was finished on a Saturday when Honda of America office was closed, so we charged the repair and took the vehicle home to use over the weekend. Both the Dealers people and us thought that was not a problem and the payment we made could be reimbursed after Monday when Honda of America gave final approval and reimbursed the dealer.
I was called by a representative of Honda of America in Torrance, CA. the following Monday. and was told that Honda of America would not cover the repair costs. Thus I would not be reimbursed the $610 charge. Obviously I was very confused and disturbed by this Honda of America position.
A few days later I met with B. Lewey of DCH Honda of Oxnard and discussed my problem. He also was very understanding and supportive of my position. He had been involved with the authorization from Honda of America before the repair was made and he committed to looking into the matter. The next day he phoned me with the good news that Honda was going to cover the repair and I would get reimbursed. Another Good Job and Thank you to Honda of Oxnard employees.
I greatly appreciate this level of service and support from Honda of Oxnard employees. I surely will return to this dealership for my next vehicle purchase and I also recommend them to anyone else.
Five previous Honda purchases, with plans to return!
Earl Becker
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