My 03 CLS 6spd is at the dealer (Crown Acura, Clearwater, FL) now. It has been there since Tuesday 01/28/03. It has 12,000 miles and the clutch is already slipping. They said if it was a mechanical failure, they would cover it under warranty. If they found it was wear and tear, I would have to pay for it. I didn’t hear from them at all on Wednesday, so I stopped in on Thursday to get something out of my trunk. They had half my engine out, but not the clutch. They had a new clutch and pressure plate sitting there in a Honda box waiting. The service guy said he would let me know Friday morning after they get it out if it is wear and tear or mechanical (he said he would have no problem replacing it under warranty if it was mechanical failure). They end up calling my Friday around 3 to tell me that they had put the new clutch in and were taking it on a test drive. Then he goes on to tell me it’s going cost me $1200 since it won’t be under warranty. Now I would understand if I beat the shit out of this car, but a new clutch at 12k miles??? Here is the thing that pisses me off: they never asked me permission to replace the clutch or do the work, and I never signed anything when I dropped it off. They just replaced it and expect me to pay for it. If I knew I would have to pay $1200 I wouldn’t do it just yet since the slipping wasn’t that bad and really wasn’t bothering me that much. I called Acura and they are opening a claim or whatever and are going to have someone come out and look at the clutch. In the mean time, I am still driving around in the dealer’s slow ass automatic RSX. So I don’t know what to do now. Tomorrow (Monday 02/03/03), if they really are going to make me pay, I think I am going to tell them to wait for the Acura rep and I will hold on to your RSX. But for some reason, I think I am going to get screwed. What would you guys do or what do you think?

 

Stick to your guns there is no single valid reason why a clutch to fail at 12000 miles... just ask someone who run their clutches like 100,000 miles..

 

What NNH said. Under anything remotely resembling normal driving conditions, a clutch should last you ~70k MINIMUM!

I'd continue to press for Acura to pick up the tab.

Is it just me or does $1200 seem like too much for a clutch anyway?

 

A clutch can easily be KILLED in under 1,000-miles if the SHIT is beaten out of it or if the driver is inexperienced.
Hell, you could probably do it in TEN miles if you really tried.

I’m not making any assumptions here, but what is your driving technique and are you hard on the car?
Have you owned a manual before and how long did THAT one last?
Does anyone else drive the car besides you?
How many miles did it have on when you bought it? I’ve read some horrendous stories here of beating the HELL out of demo cars.
Mine had like SIX miles on when I bought it and I told them I would REFUSE delivery if it had more then TEN on the odometer.
I told them if it needed to be road tested I wanted to be there to see this done so I could be sure it wasn’t test driven by a non-employee.

Definitely ask for the parts that were taken out of your car and keep them in your possession if it ends up going to court.
Ask them to SHOW you the damage and proove the abuse.

I would imagine you could make them sweat a bit and tell them to put your old parts back in.
If you didn’t authorize the replacement you should be entitled to this.

1,200-dollars sounds a bit high, but not really for a dealer.
I was told once that a clutch replacement averages 800 to 1000 dollars for most front wheel drive cars.

Shawn S

 

I’m not making any assumptions here, but what is your driving technique and are you hard on the car?
---never peel out or do neutral drops, and i know how to drive stick.

Have you owned a manual before and how long did THAT one last?
---88 porche 911, 98 exlporer sport & 98 mustang gt
never had any tranny problems on any.

Does anyone else drive the car besides you?
---nope.

How many miles did it have on when you bought it?
---i think like 20.

anyone esle have any advice before i call or go in there tomorrow?

 

I bet if a fifty year old business like guy went in there with the same car they would call it a warranty repair............but unfortunatley they probably see his AEM and kick ass audio system and make alot of assumptions. of course our clutch should last at least 100k wtith decent driving care, so keep us posted on this one Brendan

 

Dude 22k on my 99GSR and my clutch shattered. Its a wear and tear part...$600.00 later...well you get the idea. Funny thing though..It was also at Crown Acura in Clearwater....But when my Trans was cooked on my 2002CL S at 20k..didn't cost me a dime.

 

Well, it sounds like you have a good argument.
It’s not like you’re some punk 16-Year old with his first car.

It could come down to a legal fight if they stonewall with you.
Explain your position to the service manager and ask them to PROVE the abuse.

Shawn S

 

i also purchased at crown and have had great service...my advice to you if a new clutch were needed, would be to do the new comptech unit,you'd have a clutch and lightweight fly wheel out of the deal...

 

how can they tell the diff between extreme wear & tear and mechanical failure?

 

has anyone esle here have any 6speed tranny problems?

 

Before repairs were made the dealer should have contacted you with permission to work on your car. Demand that they pick up the bill and explain your situation. Don't make the matter bigger than it is before you give the dealer the chance to make things right.

Let us know how everything turns out.

 

i will, i called them today to see if they got the part for my driver seat (heat element). he said they are having someone from acura coming out, he just didnt know when. but i think if they just when ahead and replaced it without asking me they were planning on covering it under warranty. we'll see what happens.