Edmunds.com | Inside Line | Auto Observer Your Account | Help | Directory
You are here:
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
SUVs Honda Pilot Honda Pilot Maintenance and Repair
3187 messages, Last post on Nov 28, 2009 at 11:32 PM
You are in the Honda Pilot Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
|
If you have any suggestions, let me know! Catastropic engine failure in a 4 year-old Honda Pilot with 47,000miles???!!!! Yes, that's correct. Driving the car normally one minute, and completely overheated and shut-down the next. Had to be towed to the dealership where they've had it for 3 days and STILL cannot figure out exactly what's wrong. It's bad. Very, very bad. And to add icing to this wonderful confection, the '05 has a 3/36,000 mile warrarty, whereas the '06 has a 4/48,000 (meaning it would be covered no questions). The car has had no issues before this. No leaking fluid, no weird noises or grinding--nothing. They've sent it out to be "magnifluxed" to see if there are any other cracks in the engine. Mind you, the engine is torn apart. If it's ONLY the head gasket (which it's not), the cost will be $1550. For a 4 year-old Honda. They've said that they've never seen this happen before. I like to be different, but not THAT different! I've already contacted Honda Motors America, who said they can't do anything until a diagnosis of the problem is made. I have a case number, but that's it. AND....now I'm paying for a crappy rental for at least a week! DH has been diligent about all maintence--he does the oil changes with genuine honda parts, replaced differential fluid, checks tire pressure, checks that all fluids are topped off... Any suggestions? GRR!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: jse107 (Jun 10, 2009 11:27 am) It's hard to say which way its going to go. I hope you get lucky. I'm thinking worst case scenario is that they'll offer a split settlement with you, and, short of legal action, that may be the best you can do--unless you want to haul the engine over to someone else to have it examined. The idea of a split settlement is that you got some use over the years and so aren't entitled to everything brand new.
|
|
|
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 10, 2009 12:12 pm) My husband does the regular maintenece on this car with Honda parts--oil changes and so forth. He has it all in an Excel spreadsheet where he also tracks the gas mileage of the car for each fill-up. It's detailed, but I don't know if they're going to accept that. I'm very frustrated, especially because the reason we bought a Honda was for their excellent reliability. Makes me wonder about that now...
|
|
|
|
|
Replying to: jse107 (Jun 11, 2009 5:28 am) Hopefully, Honda will find something unusual and step up to the plate for you. But if they offer you a fair settlement where you pay something out of pocket, I'd go for it and get this behind you. If you dig your heels in, they might up their offer, but they might dig their heels in---and once they've offered a compromise, they start to look good in the eyes of an arbitrator or mediator--if you catch my drift. Of course, it would be nice if this out-of-pocket on your part were minimal, maybe just labor to R&R a new engine. You do have to consider the 40K use you got out of the car and that legally you are totally out of warranty. So play your best cards.
|
|
|
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 11, 2009 7:52 am) I don't begrudge this dealership--I know they are working to find out what's wrong, and in fact, admit they are just as puzzled as we are. It's just a general frustration with the situation. That, and I have to drive a crappy rental! |
|
|
Replying to: jse107 (Jun 11, 2009 8:07 am) You should never replace the oil by yourself during the warranty. Always have it replaced by any 10 minutes shop (or dealership), and keep the receipts. If your husband wants to play changing the oil, he should do it after the warranty expires. Your spreadsheets, or receipts for buying pads or oil really mean nothing. Call any other manufacturer on their 1-800 line, and ask if your engine blew and you have no maintenance proof ... will they give you a new engine ?!?
|
|
|
Replying to: rodut (Jun 12, 2009 5:33 pm) It might depend on what the judge had for breakfast too though.  Going to court is a big roll of the dice, so if you can negotiate something out, that's probably a lot less nerve-racking.
|
|
|
Replying to: steve_ (Jun 12, 2009 5:46 pm) I agree. Buying the oil and filters and so forth, and having receipts for such are a good thing, but corporate lawyers (honda) can say there is no proof of whether or not the items were installed correctly or at all, If they wanted to play hard ball! Also, going to court without an attorney would almost certainly spell disaster for your case. With an attorney, their fees can quickly dwarf any settlement you might get, even if you won your case. I used to change my own oil and such, but came to the realization that the savings are not really worth the effort. Our Honda dealer does it for around $30. And that includes some inspections, topping off other fluids and so forth. And they throw in a free car wash. This dealer has also been good about checking for and installing "Technical Service Bulletins" while I am there. These are items that are not necessarily tied into any kind of mandated recall and might never be done if I'm doing my own service or having it done by "Jiffy Lube". To do it myself, using the Honda filter and "Pennzoil" synthetic blend oil (they use) would cost in the neighborhood of $15 or so. Add in other related expenses, such as the time to do the change, the mess, properly disposing of the used oil and so forth. Of course there is the problem of "What if " there is an expensive failure. Will anybody believe that I did everything on time and properly? "Stuff" can happen! Parts are made by vendors and occasionally something is out of specs. I want to know that I did everything I could to keep up my end of proper service. I don't know what goes on in the Honda service bays. Did the tech do it properly? I've still got the paper work, "Proving" I made every effort to do it their way. I do know that the few drive train warranty problems I had, involved the dealer looking at my service record on his computer, first thing! My understanding is that any Honda dealer, anywhere, can view my car, any problems I've had, and the service record by simply entering my vin number. I just don't believe in being penny wise and dollar foolish!  Kip |
|
|
|
|
Replying to: steve_ (Jun 12, 2009 5:46 pm) |
|
|
|
|
can say there is no proof of whether or not the items were installed correctly or at all, you do the stuffs yourself means not Honda certified, so not do a thing right or forgot something can spell disaster. The spreadsheet and receipts don't mean everything was done 100% correctly. The Honda mechanics can't compare with your husband. They are Honda trained, insured and ASE certified while your husband is not. If the Honda mechanic forgot to fill new oil to the engine after the old oil drained, engine is overheated, they will replace whatever needed, while your husband forogt same then don't scream. We are human, can make mistake any time.
|
|
You are here:
Forums
SUVs Honda Pilot Honda Pilot Maintenance and Repair
New? Join Now!
Forum Tools
Search Forums
Browse by Vehicle
2010 Honda Pilot
Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
Today's Chats
