Alex Marcel | Page 2

WADUDAHMEDCHOWDHURY responded

I am writing to formally express my frustration and concern regarding the service performed on my 2025 Honda Pilot (VIN: 5FNYG1H40SB166454) and to request reimbursement for expenses incurred as a direct result of what appears to have been an improperly performed transmission fluid service. On June 8, 2026, I brought my vehicle to your dealership for a routine oil change. Based on the dealership recommendation i purchase the 30,000-mile Dealer Recommended Service, advertised at $699.95, which ultimately cost $954.80. This service included a transmission fluid change. Although I understood that a transmission fluid replacement may not have been necessary at that mileage, I chose to follow the dealership's recommendation to ensure my vehicle remained properly maintained, as I regularly travel long distances for work across multiple states. Shortly after the service, I began experiencing issues that had never occurred previously. Whenever driving on highways at speeds above approximately 55 mph, a warning message appeared on the dashboard stating: "Transmission Temperature Near Limit. Avoid heavy acceleration and high speed." Upon noticing this issue, I immediately sent a photograph of the warning message and scheduled the earliest available appointment, which was on June 15, 2026. During the June 15 visit, the vehicle was inspected and I was informed that no problems were found and that it was safe to continue driving. However, on June 16, 2026, while traveling to Boston, the problem escalated significantly. The vehicle began emitting fumes from the engine compartment accompanied by a strong transmission fluid odor. Shortly thereafter, the transmission temperature warning reappeared. Concerned for my safety, I pulled onto the highway shoulder and contacted Honda Roadside Assistance. Unfortunately, because I was located on a toll parkway outside of their service jurisdiction, I was forced to call 911 for assistance and arrange towing back to your dealership at approximately 3:00 a.m. The vehicle remained at your dealership for two days and was subsequently returned to me with no issues identified. I was not provided with any diagnostic report or documentation explaining what inspections were performed or why the transmission warning continued to occur. On June 24, 2026, while driving to North Carolina, the exact same problem occurred again. This time, I immediately brought the vehicle to the nearest Honda dealership, Open Road Honda (NJ). The dealership retained the vehicle for two days. During this period, I was not offered a loaner vehicle and was forced to rent a car to continue my travel obligations. Following their diagnosis, Open Road Honda determined that the transmission fluid had been overfilled. They provided a video documenting their findings, which I previously forwarded to your dealership. This diagnosis appears to directly explain the transmission overheating warnings and the repeated breakdowns that began only after the transmission fluid service was performed on June 8. As a direct result of this issue, I have incurred the following out-of-pocket expenses: Open Road Honda diagnostic/service charge: $254.83 Towing expense: $85.00 Avis rental car (2 days): $305.48 Beyond the financial impact, this situation has caused substantial disruption to my work and personal life. My position requires extensive interstate travel, and I have already been forced to cancel two work appointments because of these repeated vehicle failures. Being stranded on the shoulder of a busy highway due to a transmission-related issue also created a serious safety risk for both myself and other motorists. Perhaps most concerning is the loss of confidence I now have in the reliability of this vehicle. Prior to the June 8 service, I had never experienced any transmission-related concerns. Since then, I have twice been stranded during long-distance travel.