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Acura

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Jill of Raeford, NC October 22, 2009

I took my 2003 TL into the local Acura dealership because of a check engine light. I typically have my car serviced at a reputable independent auto shop, but I believed my car to be under warranty. The service department changed the transmission fluid out and charged me 220.00. They told me that the warranty had expired on my car, and though a number of the 2003 TLs had been recalled or given extended warranty because of faulty transmissions, my particular vehicle was not eligible.

Given this information and knowing how expensive the dealership service is, the very next day when my transmission went out with my 5 year old son in the car stranded on the road, I opted to take my car to a reputable transmission shop; one very similar to one Acura would have sent it to, other than this shop charged me 1900 instead of upwards of 3000. I did some research as my car was being repaired and found that my car's warranty had been extended to 105,000 miles due to aforemetioned TL transmission issues. My car, when intially brought to the Acura Dealership, had 105,641.

I contacted Acura and was assigned a case number and manager, Damon Hambruch. Though he told me there were no guarantees that anything could be done(because I took it to an outside shop, and they don't do that) he advised me on information to fax to him and I was hopeful there would be some financial remuneration. After faxing the initial information requested, he called me to tell and asked me to fax proof and type of payment information. To me it sounded hopeful Acura was going to do the right thing and reimburse me to some extent.

I faxed the second round of information quickly and received another call from Damon this morning. The tone of the conversation was markedly different from the first two conversations, as now it had been decided that "hands were tied" because I had not taken my car back to the dealership, and had it repaired at another shop.

Of course, there is the consequence that Acura cannot (will not) be held financially responsible for any work done outside of a designated service center or if your mechanic does not use Acura certified parts OR fluids. Yes, fluids. The powers that be had come to the conclusion that my transmission probably failed because I had a transmission flush 10 months ago at a local auto repair shop that may or may not have used Acura transmission fluid.

Aside from those facts, the doublespeak from this case manager was appalling. He first told me that if I would've taken the car back to the dealership, they might have been able to do something for me. On the contrary, they told me they couldn't do anything for me (other than charge me more money) because my cars warranty had expired and was not elligible for recall. He said they could've done something, because they would've called "someone like me". He told me there wasn't really much they could do because of my choice of repair shops, yet I was lead to believe as I was faxing the information and contact person at that outside shop, which Damon spoke with, that there was something they could and would do.

Even though my cars warranty had expired by 641 miles and I had been doing recorded maintenance at a location other than Acura, he stated that "Warranties are very black and white; you are either in or out"....interesting. Apparently, I had gone through this entire process with a vehicle that was 641 miles past its warranty, because after all, it is "black and white"...and he had called to speak with the independent transmission shop that did the repair because it is "black and white"...and if only I would've (I love that word) brought it back to the dealership, and they could've (another favorite)spoken to someone like him and perhaps my car would've been fixed by Acura because its "black and white".

It appeared Damon and Acura were going to work with me until our 3rd and last conversation. By Damon's account, what really had their 'hands tied' was this issue of the tranmission fluid used in the fluid change performed 10 months ago. Because, or unless I was able to prove Acura transmission fluild was used and not some other type, Acuras hands were tied. He did offer me a 231 credit at any Acura service department, which from my experience fails to cover a 15,000 mile routine maintenance appointment. As I told my case manager, Damon, the factual technicalities are on his side. The convenience in using them to deny Acuras responsibility to stand behind their product, in addition to my case apparently not being so "black and white", is disingenuous.

One more comment on "black and white" Beware of the Acura Care extended warranty, as you don't get what you think you are paying for. I purchased my 2003 TL Certified Pre-Owned, and understood the extended warranty I bought with it was a 100,000 mile warranty—not a warranty to 100,000 miles. As stated on the warranty: Years-7 Miles-100,00 Current Odometer Mileage-36,028 Fine Print: "Coverage for a Pre-Owned plan begins on the vehicle purchase date and at the mileage on the odometer on that date" Translation=coverage to 136,028. Black and White?

Business and indviduals aren't required (even by conscience) to do the right thing. Acura's unwillingness to do so cost me a total 2131.00. In the future I will direct my business (and will advise others) toward companies committed to cultivating honesty, integrity and professionalism. In light of this experience, Acura no longer qualifies. (postscript) After speaking with a transmission expert, the act of merely replacing the transmission fluid (220.00 + tax) does nothing for the health/longevity of said transmission, in fact, can act as a catalyst for the transmission to fail.

Rita of SUMMERTON, SC August 3, 2009

Bought a ACURA in 2002..NEW....TRANSMISSION HAVE GONE 3 TIMES. DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS and FEEL THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PICK UP SOME OF THE COST

Marcia of Germantown, MD July 12, 2009

I purchased a car (2005 Acura MDX)approximately 2.5 months ago and found the car not starting. I brought it to a mechanic and after assessing the problem, it was discovered there was something called "Engine Stop" in the place where you put the coolant. I did everything I thought was right by getting it inspected and thought I was purchasing a good vehicle. Now I'm forced to purchase another engine for the vehicle. I don't what I can do to get my car fixed. I have two children with one one the way in two months. That was why I purchased the MDX due to the reliability and third row seating in the rear. The engine needs to be replaced resulting in the dishonesty of the dealership I purchase it from. Now I have no vehicle to get to work or carry my family in. I'm stuck!!! I do want an attourney to contact me please!!!

Debra of Bronx, NY June 18, 2009

Purchased a 2004 Acura TL on May 12, 2007 and have nothing but problems with the car since purchase. Interior roof fell down on my husband while he was driving, panel above brakes and accelerator fell on him while driving, numerous wheel alignments, fumes backing up into car constantly, panels on door handles constantly coming off and they won't replace without cost, fuel injectors went bad (should have been changed/checked before selling car which was supposedly certified), brake issues, engine light constantly coming on,

dealer's repair shop never found issues with car until warranty ran out, then all of a sudden finding everything wrong with vehicle including needing rear shocks (should have been changed during certification before sold to me). For majority of two year ownership, car has been at dealer's repair shop EVERY WEEKEND so much so that the dealer's owner had to questioned why we were there EVERY WEEKEND.

I purchased a CARFAX report, however, it does not show properly the care of the car! I should have ran the other way before buying this vehicle. I could have purchased a new vehicle for what I paid for this headache.

gail of findlay, OH June 3, 2009

The transmission went they said they replaced it there was a recall later and the car was still acting up with second gear. It stopped in chiacgo and also sent my son through the windshield. Acura gave me a new transmission. Toledo kept saying there was no problem and i could tell before this happened it was slipping. They were in denial!This model is dangerous. If a car can stop this abruptly and almost throw you through you through the windshield it is a danger to society.

Christina of Covington, WA April 22, 2009

I used this product for one week. In that time, it melted my plastic scrub brush and ruined my wedding ring.

I had to buy a new scrub brush. I have not been able to wear my wedding ring since. Even after getting the ring cleaned, it burns my skin within a couple hours. I will need to replace my ring now. Not sure if the company will care.

Carolyn of Washington, Dc, DC April 8, 2009

Carolyn of Washington, Dc DC (04/08/09)
Automatic transmission died at 51,000 miles on a 2003 Acura CL S-Type. Contacted Acura and company offered to pay 20% leaving me to pay 2800 for a new transmission. Acura says I have no recourse since I did not have records of auto transmission service at 30K. I bought car used, so I have no records. I see that there was a Class Action lawsuit against Honda in 2005. Would that cover my car in 2009 and for what? Please help. I am unemployed and don't know what to do.

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