[Mc62412]

This is going to be a rant. ??‍♀ I bought an 18 accord from my local dealership in Branford CT about a year and a half ago. The sales part of it was great. The rep wasn’t pushy, followed up and found me the 6SMT I was looking for. He even went and pick it up from NJ himself.
as much as I enjoy the car, if I had known I would have such a horrific time with the service department on basic things, I would have never bought the car and would have stayed in my Ford Edge.
first issue was the infotainment screen. Kept rebooting out of No where at random times. Spoke with the service department about it. The guy told me he’ll reach out and look into it and get back to me. A month later, no call no email, no updates nothing. I had to physically go down There to ask about it. Got the same kid and when I told him I wouldn’t work with him he asks why. Let him know cause his follow up is garbage and can obviously not be trusted. Eventually they replaced the unit with a new one. Has had some issues rebooting but only like 3 times. No where near as much as before. Still they have no idea why it reboots....whatever. In the process of them changing out the unit they scratched up my dash and parts inside. Had to speak to the manager to get resolved. He was so blazay about the whole issue. I had to get stern and tell him he may not care how his ride is treated but I do. I take pride in my car and want it back how I brought it in. He reordered the parts, had to wait like 3 weeks for them to come in, he ordered the wrong parts. ??‍♀ Had to get ANOTHER manager involved. Waited for those parts to come in.Waited an additional 2 weeks. Then about an hour for them to install. Fine. Not happy but again, whatever. They replace the parts, and scratch something else !!! Like what the f ?! I complained about it but refused to let them touch the car again. It’s in a spot you wouldn’t notice so I’m trying to let it go. I NOTICE IT. that’s all that matters. Anyways...on to the next issue.
I’ve only ever had Honda do my oil changes since getting this car. You would think something as SIMPLE as an oil change would go smoothly. What they take off they put back on. NOPE. NOT WITH THIS DEALERSHIP ! My BF was putting the lip on my car and pointed out to me that the oil shield is missing bolts to hold it in place. The bolts that are there are all loose. And the shield is bent. For god sakes can they do anything right ?? So I call, get a lady in service and I explain what we found. She right off the bat is a little s*. She’s like why would they not put it back on, we would never leave parts off. First of all why would I lie about that ? Secondly, people these days don’t freaking do honest work, third, she’s not the damn tech how does sheknow what they do or don’t do. She’s a freaking secretary. Then comes the part where I see RED and loose my mind. She says ... what do you want us to do about it ? .... are you kidding? I said IF I BRING MY CAR IN I WANT YOU TO PUT ON WHAT TOU TAKE IFF AND NOT DO A HALF A JOB. She continues to argue with me about how it wasn’t them. Ok well bolts just dont fall off. And they are the only ones who have done my oil changes. She was such a freaking little s*** ! My god. So I call back talk to the front desk ask for a manager. Lucky me he’s not there today. So I ask for any manager. Surely they can help. Not available. Really. So I ask for my sales rep. He’s like wtf that’s weird. Well get it figured out for you. He tells me he’ll call me or email me Monday once he gets answers. What answers do you need ? Just tell me to come in and put the damn bolts back on. Not to mention the shield is bent. What are these people doing ?!?! It’s now mid day the day I’m supposed to hear back and nothing yet.
SO INFURIATING. They don’t let you watch the tech do the job, which is understandable. But you expect the dealership to do a sound job. It’s not like I took it to some jiffy lube on the side of some random street. i
I’m so pissed

 

[Mc62412]

I also tried another Honda dealership when I had a question about my sunroof. I thought it looked sunken in. And instead of looking at it. They said go back to the dealer you bought it.
a Honda is a Honda is a Honda. It doesn’t matter if I bought it in Connecticut or Alaska. I still bought it through your dealership. Now what. Smh. Can NO ONE be trusted ?!

 

[Fired00d]

Wow!!!! Sounds like you have some horrible dealers in your area if they treat their customers like that. If I were you I would contact Honda Corporate Customer Support to open a case on your issues...

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.:
Honda Automobile Customer Service
Phone: (800) 999-1009
Fax: (310) 783-3023
Mon – Fri
6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., PT

Your issues are no reflection of the car itself more so of the dealership(s) and their lack of professionalism.

 

[Mc62412]

I agree. It’s crazy. As far as I know there’s only 2 that are decent distance. I haven’t searched farther. I also don’t want to drive an hour out of the way for simple services. I’ll give them a call, I didn’t even know that was an option ! Thanks. It’s end of day and STILL no call from them. They better fix it. Just so pissed it takes so long and I have to get all worked up and be “that” customer about it.

 

[Mc62412]

I called. They suggested I go down there in person...of course they will be more willing to help with me standing right in front of them, but I need to cool off first. They gave me a case number and said if I can’t get help from them in person to call back.
Then she gave me a list of other closest dealers. I’m gunna have totry a different one. It just suck cause this one is right down the road. I’ve even tried the one Milford and they were just as crappy. So she gave me 2 others to try. Which are farther. ?. Now I have to find time to get down there. Just a pain in the ass. And why is the piece bent ??? Like are you taking half the bolts out and bending it back ? I don’t understand. Ill have to see when I’m able to make it there. Uuugghhhhh !

 

[fazzster]

A dealership is an independent enterprise not owned by Honda. So be disgusted with the dealership first. There are more dealerships out there that actually care than not care. Most take representing the Honda brand seriously. It sounds to me that management at the dealership in question needs a major "overhaul". Even if you were a complete A-hole (not saying you were) what ever went wrong with your service should have been corrected ASAP and without argument. Problem these days is there are too many people with little ethics, drug addicts, and general apathy, that it is really hard finding good honest workers. Perhaps this is part of the problem here. Bottom line, don't let this experience taint your perception of the brand. Find another dealership or start doing your own oil changes.

 

[LexisOwner]

A dealership is an independent enterprise not owned by Honda. So be disgusted with the dealership first. There are more dealerships out there that actually care than not care. Most take representing the Honda brand seriously. It sounds to me that management at the dealership in question needs a major "overhaul". Even if you were a complete A-hole (not saying you were) what ever went wrong with your service should have been corrected ASAP and without argument. Problem these days is there are too many people with little ethics, drug addicts, and general apathy, that it is really hard finding good honest workers. Perhaps this is part of the problem here. Bottom line, don't let this experience taint your perception of the brand. Find another dealership or start doing your own oil changes.

Totally agree with you. The real decision is whether going back to the dealership where the automobile was purchased worth it or despite the distance taking it somewhere else, even for simple maintenance.
First, find out hopefully by reviews or something whether another place service is better. I totally can relate though. I have always gone to Honda dealerships for service. Where I live in Fayetteville NC I went many times with my old 1999 Civic many years ago. Faithfully so. I happened to lift the hood and find there was acid on the battery cables. How can they have done a 21 point check? When I took it back to service and complained there was also this blase attitude. I told them I am on the road and therefore feel it important even if they did not. When I got ready about two or so years ago to trade that one in to get another Civic, guess where I did not go? Since this is a military town, most everyone with a Honda here has the local Honda dealer's logo on their rear bumper.
I drove and continue to drive a little less than an hour to have not only purchased my 2018 Accord, also for oil changes and maintenance. Refused to purchase my vehicle from where I live. Recently, I had an issue with being given a dirty loaner when I needed my interior cleaned at the new dealership this vehicle was purchased from. I complained because I had to pass the one in town to get on the highway for the one I drive an hour away to get to. Believe me, it was filthy, nasty and I wore old clothes every time I had to drive it until my vehicle was ready. There was a nonchalant attitude from them even though I purchased two automobiles.
So, I purchased a beautiful metallic red rear license plate holder (Walmart and matches perfectly my Accord) and removed the one the dealer had on the car. I also used goo gone and removed their name from my rear bumper. Now no one knows where I got this vehicle from.
If I live long enough to want to purchase another vehicle I'll find another one and not go to either of the ones which have been mentioned. I enjoy driving and love when after purchase continues the same quality in service as the sale before the handshake and first payment.
Honda independent dealerships need to know first you may try for another dealership, or even another automobile maker depending on how serious you are about the service. It does matter as much as the sale. The only reason I am going to continue going to the present dealership for my oil changes is that they offer it for the life of the vehicle free. Saves me about $65 or $69 (excluding the gas and time it takes to get there) so believe they can at least accomplish that one. The dealership in town where I live continues to be crappy with their service. I know of at least two people who take their Honda Accords there to be serviced and they have not changed even though they seem to advertise their automobile prices like all you need is a song to get one. I still refuse to buy.

 

[Mc62412]

Totally agree with you. The real decision is whether going back to the dealership where the automobile was purchased worth it or despite the distance taking it somewhere else, even for simple maintenance.
First, find out hopefully by reviews or something whether another place service is better. I totally can relate though. I have always gone to Honda dealerships for service. Where I live in Fayetteville NC I went many times with my old 1999 Civic many years ago. Faithfully so. I happened to lift the hood and find there was acid on the battery cables. How can they have done a 21 point check? When I took it back to service and complained there was also this blase attitude. I told them I am on the road and therefore feel it important even if they did not. When I got ready about two or so years ago to trade that one in to get another Civic, guess where I did not go? Since this is a military town, most everyone with a Honda here has the local Honda dealer's logo on their rear bumper.
I drove and continue to drive a little less than an hour to have not only purchased my 2018 Accord, also for oil changes and maintenance. Refused to purchase my vehicle from where I live. Recently, I had an issue with being given a dirty loaner when I needed my interior cleaned at the new dealership this vehicle was purchased from. I complained because I had to pass the one in town to get on the highway for the one I drive an hour away to get to. Believe me, it was filthy, nasty and I wore old clothes every time I had to drive it until my vehicle was ready. There was a nonchalant attitude from them even though I purchased two automobiles.
So, I purchased a beautiful metallic red rear license plate holder (Walmart and matches perfectly my Accord) and removed the one the dealer had on the car. I also used goo gone and removed their name from my rear bumper. Now no one knows where I got this vehicle from.
If I live long enough to want to purchase another vehicle I'll find another one and not go to either of the ones which have been mentioned. I enjoy driving and love when after purchase continues the same quality in service as the sale before the handshake and first payment.
Honda independent dealerships need to know first you may try for another dealership, or even another automobile maker depending on how serious you are about the service. It does matter as much as the sale. The only reason I am going to continue going to the present dealership for my oil changes is that they offer it for the life of the vehicle free. Saves me about $65 or $69 (excluding the gas and time it takes to get there) so believe they can at least accomplish that one. The dealership in town where I live continues to be crappy with their service. I know of at least two people who take their Honda Accords there to be serviced and they have not changed even though they seem to advertise their automobile prices like all you need is a song to get one. I still refuse to buy.

Yeah it stinks. I’m just annoyed that I went to 2 different ones and the attitude seemed to be the same. There’s 2 more not exactly near me. But is about a 30 min or so drive. Maybe I’ll go there next. I mean, one of them has to care right ?! Lol.
my point was if I go in for one thing. I don’t want to have to go back 2 or 3 times to fix something that had jothifnot do with my original visit to begin with. Weather it’s an old model or something that’s brand new ..I feel like it should be treated well. Not due for another service for another month or 2 so I’ll update with the experience from the next Honda dealership I try

 

[LexisOwner]

Yeah it stinks. I’m just annoyed that I went to 2 different ones and the attitude seemed to be the same. There’s 2 more not exactly near me. But is about a 30 min or so drive. Maybe I’ll go there next. I mean, one of them has to care right ?! Lol.
my point was if I go in for one thing. I don’t want to have to go back 2 or 3 times to fix something that had jothifnot do with my original visit to begin with. Weather it’s an old model or something that’s brand new ..I feel like it should be treated well. Not due for another service for another month or 2 so I’ll update with the experience from the next Honda dealership I try

Let me also give you another suggestion. How about looking up who owns either or both of the ones you have already gone to and contact the corporate officer and owner since both are independent dealers?

Yeah it stinks. I’m just annoyed that I went to 2 different ones and the attitude seemed to be the same. There’s 2 more not exactly near me. But is about a 30 min or so drive. Maybe I’ll go there next. I mean, one of them has to care right ?! Lol.
my point was if I go in for one thing. I don’t want to have to go back 2 or 3 times to fix something that had jothifnot do with my original visit to begin with. Weather it’s an old model or something that’s brand new ..I feel like it should be treated well. Not due for another service for another month or 2 so I’ll update with the experience from the next Honda dealership I try

Also, keep in mind that if you are returning for the same thing over and over it means whoever is responsible is not skilled in what is wrong or able to repair it. It becomes an exercise in futility. I had the check engine light which kept coming on my Honda many years ago. I went to this one Honda dealership numerous times. They would appear to fix it, I think about twice they charged me for something which turned out to not be the problem. Each time I would leave the light would not come on until I hit a bump and then it would come on again., I think after a while I got brain dead! I kept going back for embarrassed to say I don't even remember how many times just to sit in the waiting room and be disgusted with others with different issues and felt I had paid for them to fix it. At some point, those mechanics who are incompetent or unskilled play along with you and let you continue coming to them so they can continue not repairing it. You do not want that to happen with your vehicle and I suspect you do not want to lose trust that they are unable to perform the maintenance or whatever without you wondering whether they really did do something. Even a simple oil change will not be done without you at least even minimally worrying whether it was done properly or not. Been there.

 

[gn842]

I have a great deal of distrust for dealers. My way of dealing with oil changes is to take it to my regular mechanic and send an oil sample to Blackstone. This costs $40 and is highly advisable with our cars. The reason is we have Gasoline Direct Injection and we need to be on the look out for gasoline buildup in the oil. (Severe gasoline buildup will cause the oil level to rise and lead to a strong gasoline smell). A bunch of Blackstone reports at regular intervals would convince anyone that you're changing the oil on that car.

Anyhow I don't know what I would do in your situation.

Some people recommended that we get the extended warranty with these cars, and it certainly is an option but (1) I don't trust the honesty of the dealers that do the work and (2) I don't like spending my time p*ssing with an insurance company over what is covered and what is not. It's bad enough that our health plans take our money and then don't cover illness. I don't need that aggro with my car too.

Anyhow I'm sorry to hear about your problem, you should talk to any Honda owners you see and ask them what they do. I stop people in parking lots some times and have a "Honda chat." I suppose if I were a woman I'd be a bit leery about striking up a convo in the parking lot but well, there are other times and places to meet Accord owners. But at least when you're in your own area the information and tips you get about which dealer is good will be local.

Greg N

 

[gn842]

Also, keep in mind that if you are returning for the same thing over and over it means whoever is responsible is not skilled in what is wrong or able to repair it. It becomes an exercise in futility. I had the check engine light which kept coming on my Honda many years ago. I went to this one Honda dealership numerous times. They would appear to fix it, I think about twice they charged me for something which turned out to not be the problem. Each time I would leave the light would not come on until I hit a bump and then it would come on again., I think after a while I got brain dead! I

At some point to be "in the game" you have to invest $50 in an OBD II reader and an app for your phone to read it. If you go in and say the OBD II code is such and such they will think you are not as much of a pushover. But it could be that the OBD II code is not telling you all you need to know. Well, OK, a dealer should have the $5k OBD II reader.

And the other thing is to think hard about finding a foreign car shop in your area--preferably one that specializes in "Japanese" cars, even though ours are made in Ohio. I have had small shops that were unable to fix something, but I've never had an independent that was as outright, calculatedly dishonest as the dealers I've done business with.

Greg N

 

[Mc62412]

I went back and they replaced the bolts. But I’m annoyed with them. I’m going to try another dealership next time I need something. Well see how that goes. I understand stuff happens but every time is a bit much. Well see next service how the next one does. It’s farther but if they do it right then it is what it is.

 

[S2sailorlis]

For what it’s worth...the Honda dealer in Westport is good. Their service department in Fairfield seems ok. own 2 Honda’s and have been going there for 15 years.

I'm actually looking at an Accord for my hellish commute (23K mikes/year), but I’m concerned about the turbo reliability.

 

[Mc62412]

Ni

For what it’s worth...the Honda dealer in Westport is good. Their service department in Fairfield seems ok. own 2 Honda’s and have been going there for 15 years.

I'm actually looking at an Accord for my hellish commute (23K mikes/year), but I’m concerned about the turbo reliability.

nice to see someone local. I went to the westport one when looking for the car originally. It’s a pretty long commute. We will see. I’m not due for another service for another month or so. Definitely going to go to a different dealership

 

[S2sailorlis]

I’m on the fence with getting an Accord. the 1.5 turbo concerns me although the noise level has quieted down somewhat. The Westport dealer offers a “lifetime powertrain“ warranty, though tine would tell if needed...

I like everything about the Accord except the turbo... plan B is the Mazda 6.