Dealer didn't place transmission fluid cap on after service...

Took my Civic hatchback for for transmission fluid change about a month ago. Yesterday, while detailing my car, I found the transmission fluid cap missing. I put about 1100 miles on it with out a cap. I'm worried contaminants may have entered or there my fluid missing.

Should I have the dealer check the fluid?

Idiots.
Never mind the dealer.
Call Honda corporate and raise shit.
Let them deal with the dealer from above.

Makes a good case for using an independent mechanic, huh?

Sheesh.

I'd start documenting everything right now. Photos, dates, receipts, mileage, etc. While I hope that the dealership or their insurance company steps up; it just (sadly) wouldn't surprise me if they said "that's normal". I'm exaggerating a little. But they will certainly try to get away with as little as possible. Cleaning up the mess, flushing the transmission, and replacing the fluid seems likely. But if the fluid spilled onto anything rubber or electronic; who knows when those problems may show up with the car? And lastly... did the transmission sustain any damage during those 1100 miles? Again... you may not know until later.

I'd find some way to measure the current level of fluid. Even a Popsicle stick can give an estimate. Not a lawyer... but the overwhelming documentation will be a signal to whoever makes this decision that they aren't going to get away with just giving you a free car wash.

And don't sign anything.

Sorry you got spanked, man.

STEPS:
(1) Removed the transmission fluid cap (and put it on front area of car)
(2) Remove the transmission drain plug
(3) Drain the Fluid.
(4) Replace the transmission drain plug
(5) Fill with CORRECT fluid and CORRECT Amount
(6) Replace the the transmission fluid cap

The $64,000 question is, at what step did the Tech get distracted, and stop the process ??

One hope that it was just after step 5, but till you know for sure, it could have been after step 3 !!!

Yah today I went ahead and got all my documents together. Turned out to be a little more that 1100 miles, I must have changed the trip computer.

Will be reaching out to Honda Corp as well to report the incident. In regards to your comment on measuring the fluid level, I was under the impression that there was no dipstick for the cvt. I attached a photo of the fill whole, so I'm not sure of oil was/is supposed to be visible.

Yah, this was supposed to be preventative maintenance. Would hate for damage to have been done

You might want to try to take a Documentation Pic, showing that the DRAIN PLUG is present (or NOT !!)

BTW:
It's a pain to check the level precisely. The vehicle needs to be on level ground (I would use a carpenters level to check this). The transmission fluid needs to be at operating temperature. Just before checking the fluid the shift lever needs to be cycled through all positions. The "check bolt" is removed. If fluid is slowly dripping out of the check bolt hole the trans fluid is at proper level. Too much flow or none at all indicates improper level.

Update:
Honda Corp said this would be something the dealer needs to handle. Took it to my dealer and spoke to the service manager. She immediately apologized and offered to have it drained and refilled. Overall, it's the best outcome given the situation.

SCOPESYS said:

STEPS:
(1) Removed the transmission fluid cap (and put it on front area of car)
(2) Remove the transmission drain plug
(3) Drain the Fluid.
(4) Replace the transmission drain plug
(5) Fill with CORRECT fluid and CORRECT Amount
(6) Replace the the transmission fluid cap

The $64,000 question is, at what step did the Tech get distracted, and stop the process ??

One hope that it was just after step 5, but till you know for sure, it could have been after step 3 !!!

Click to expand...

Step 5 (fill) was skipped by one of those quick lube places changing the mt fluid in my Pontiac back in the day. I didn't make 1100 miles , more like 11. Trans completely seized on me as I wondered what that funny whining noise was. Transmission repair shop added fluid, jiggled the shifter a bit, and recommended that they not open it up unless it acted up. I never had any issues in the end.

red06 said:

Step 5 (fill) was skipped by one of those quick lube places changing the mt fluid in my Pontiac back in the day. I didn't make 1100 miles , more like 11. Trans completely seized on me as I wondered what that funny whining noise was. Transmission repair shop added fluid, jiggled the shifter a bit, and recommended that they not open it up unless it acted up. I never had any issues in the end.

Click to expand...

Wow, you got screwed badly

Bash95 said:

Update:
Honda Corp said this would be something the dealer needs to handle. Took it to my dealer and spoke to the service manager. She immediately apologized and offered to have it drained and refilled. Overall, it's the best outcome given the situation.

Click to expand...

Good for you, hopefully there is no damage/excess wear and tear to the trans. 1100 miles isn't that bad, and any contaminants will hopefully be removed in that fluid replacement.

Bash95 said:

Update:
Honda Corp said this would be something the dealer needs to handle. Took it to my dealer and spoke to the service manager. She immediately apologized and offered to have it drained and refilled. Overall, it's the best outcome given the situation.

Click to expand...

Raise hell on their FB page with pics and all the info, watch how fast they try to help you. This is what I just did for my apparently warped rotors that the dealer wasn't going to cover... Honda Canada made sure it was covered this one time.

I have a Chevy Camaro dealer forgot to put fill plug back in my transmission and I drove it home in the rain and standing water and now I think water is in my transmission what kind of repair should I expect from the dealership

This incident makes me think what are the chances that in this type of work, even if the plug is in place, is the oil level correct? I believe most people are unable to verify it or don't want to get their hands dirty

Bash95 said:

Update:
Honda Corp said this would be something the dealer needs to handle. Took it to my dealer and spoke to the service manager. She immediately apologized and offered to have it drained and refilled. Overall, it's the best outcome given the situation.

Click to expand...

I really hope nothing bad happened to CVT in a long term. I would be interested to know the update, since exact same thing happened to me after getting CVT fluid replaced here in SoCal area. And I have put little more than 2000 miles over the span of 40 days with this condition. I finally found out that CVT filler cap is not put back on when oil smell wouldn't go away from cabin after 30+ days.