Dealer Woes

Hi All,

I have a recent Honda Dealer experience I would like to relate that I am very much unhappy about.

My 2018 Si was due for inspection at the end of May. Due to my schedule I could only get it done on memorial day. The shop I would normally go to was not open so I ended up making an appointment with the dealer. I never go to dealers for service if I can help it. I do all my own standard maintenance. For things I am not comfortable with or don’t have time for I will bring in to a local shop that specializes in Hondas. I figured, “who could possibly mess up an inspection?”

In addition to the inspection, I asked them to check out one of my rear tires that had a slow leak and rotate the tires. They also talked me into an alignment.

I waited over two hours for the work to be done. They did find a nail on the inner sidewall of the tire so I had them put a new one on. A while later they tell me its finished, I pay, and the service advisor shows me the alignment sheet. The toe was significantly off. I ask for a copy of the alignment print out. I am told it should already be in the car on the passenger seat. Getting in the car I see there is no sheet. So I go back in to ask for it to be printed. Service advisor does so and I leave the dealer.

I had driven about 14 miles when I suddenly notice the sticker on the windshield still says 2018. Then I realize I never saw any printout for the inspection. Thinking maybe it’s stuck to the bill, I check but not there. I call the service advisor. He tells me to come back, saying the tech must have left the sticker and paper on the bench. I drive 14 miles back to dealer.

They take my car back again. 15-20 minutes later, they come back saying it’s all good. There is a new sticker on the windshield. There is an inspection printout on the passengers seat. I look it over to double check. The paper is for a 2014 Honda with 50,000 miles on it. I am in disbelief. I go back in saying I was given an inspection paper for the wrong car. The service advisor calls the tech to tell him and drives it back himself this time. Finally I get it back with an inspection certificate that is for my vehicle but the mileage on it was the current mileage AFTER I had driven back to dealer. I suspect they may not have actually done the inspection at all and just printed out a new sheet right then. OR they gave my paper to another vehicle and the other person didn’t catch it. At that point I just wanted to get out of there so I left for good.

FAST FORWARD- a few weeks later I go to check my oil and notice it is really high, well above the full mark and even slightly above the orange plastic. I have never seen it that high, but I hadn’t checked it in a while so started worrying that there was significant fuel dilution. The last oil change I had done was 4,000 miles before with Amsoil Signature and their EA oil filter. Then I notice that the oil cap is extremely tight and way tighter than I keep it. I had to use a wrench to get it off. I think “why the heck would they be opening the oil cap for an inspection” I figured they must have stupidly added oil to my car thinking it was low. There is no evidence on my bill of anything relating to oil. This really annoys me, but knowing I was going to change the oil again in around 1,000 miles, I just left it and monitored often.

FAST FORWARD AGAIN: Today I changed my oil. I jack up the car and get under to remove the aluminum cover. I notice the cover wasn’t put on right, the holes didn’t line up completely and the fasteners were beat up and the surface of the cover was gauged under the metal locking pins. Then I notice one of the pins is missing. I am getting madder by the minute. I take the cover off and find a blue Honda oil filter on my car. My oil had been changed without my authorization or knowledge, and the vehicle had been significantly overfilled with oil. The dealer should not have been doing anything with the oil on my vehicle. The Amsoil I had in there only had 2000 miles on it and it went down the drain. In addition one of the pins for the cover plate was lost and not replaced.

Needless to say, I will never be going to that dealer again EVER. Anyone have similar types of experiences?

Sounds like they did the recall on your car and did not mention? SInce you normally do yourself, this is the first time they have seen it?

I guess that’s possible, although I don’t see how anyone could presume to do something with my vehicle without discussing with the owner? Also, there is no evidence... The list of service done does not include anything relating to oil or service bulletins, just the items I asked for. They also did not reset the maintenance minder. And especially since the “oil dilution fix” adds time to your warranty doesn’t there need to be evidence? Is there a way I can find out myself? If this was the only issue and there wasn’t the inspection mixup, I’d be more inclined to consider it. I think they just gave me an oil change instead of an inspection and then had to scramble when I came back.

Apone said:

Sounds like they did the recall on your car and did not mention? SInce you normally do yourself, this is the first time they have seen it?

Click to expand...

And yes, this is the first time a dealer has seen it, but it is not the same dealer I purchased the car from.

Bummer. Sure sounds like getting a state inspection and tires checked/rotated turned into quite the ordeal.

Surely you got a service follow up email/survey and expressed your disappointment? You might consider writing an email to the manager about their poor service. Maybe they will give you a free oil change! lol

The US is a big place.. what dealer was it?

racer said:

Bummer. Sure sounds like getting a state inspection and tires checked/rotated turned into quite the ordeal.

Surely you got a service follow up email/survey and expressed your disappointment? You might consider writing an email to the manager about their poor service. Maybe they will give you a free oil change! lol

The US is a big place.. what dealer was it?

Click to expand...

Koons Honda in Manassas, Virginia was the dealer. Yes I got an email from them and explained everything, although at that point I did not know they had changed my oil without permission. The woman said she would forward to her manager and then I never heard anything after that.

fabrizzio71 said:

Koons Honda in Manassas, Virginia was the dealer. Yes I got an email from them and explained everything, although at that point I did not know they had changed my oil without permission. The woman said she would forward to her manager and then I never heard anything after that.

Click to expand...

I'm right down the street.. but I've only used Chantilly Honda. Meh. Not a fan of any dealer.. but as you mentioned, sometimes you need their help. sorry to hear they botched the job up.

As they say, squeaky wheel get the oil. If you don't pester them you will get nothing back. Then again, maybe its not worth the effort.. but you did come out here and write several paragraphs, so clearly it still bothers you.

I purchased the HFP lip/skirts, LED Foot/Console/Doorsill illumination when I bought the car. Came back a week later to have it installed and while they were doing it they cut the air bag harness. 800 miles on the car and they had to rip apart the dashboard, console and other parts to replace the whole thing. The only bright side was getting to beat on a honda fit for a week.

Wow, what a mess .. With the paperwork mixup, my guess is they changed the oil on your car since that's what the 2014 was supposed to have done. Dealerships scare the crap out of me with all the bad stories I hear.

The only time I ever used the dealer was when my Toyota's had free two year maintenance, and I only took it to a dealership called Sunnyvale Toyota, their service was excellent and they never tried to push additional fake services. For brake jobs or other type maintenance I take all my cars to a mechanic I have been using for more than 10 years. So here is a quick plug: if you live or work in the San Jose area, take your car to AM Automotive. The owner Manjit is the most honest mechanic I have ever met in my life. When he gets to know you, he does a ton of little stuff for free for you, and if he takes something apart and finds that there is no issue, he will call you and tell you and not charge you. Anyway, that is my plug

Blitted_Master said:

Wow, what a mess .. With the paperwork mixup, my guess is they changed the oil on your car since that's what the 2014 was supposed to have done. Dealerships scare the crap out of me with all the bad stories I hear.

Click to expand...

I think you’re right, they did the service for another vehicle (complete with the 4.5 quarts for a k series 2.4) on my car. This is what I suspect at least.