NJRonbo

I just had a very discouraging experience with my dealer this morning.

Since I leased my RL back in July, my XM radio has had constant refresh
delay problems. Additionally, there were many occasions when the system
would continually switch me from the channel I was listening, to the preview
channel.

Something was wrong -- and after reading all the reports from other RL
owners on this forum, I knew it was systemwide.

So Acura finally posted a recall for the XM problem. Thing is, it only
included older VIN numbers.

My VIN number was newer, and thus did not qualify. Still, I was having
the exact same issues that everybody else was having.

It was a nightmare to even get an appointment at my local dealer,
Ryan's Open Road Acura in New Brunswick. They didn't want to
look at the car since my VIN number was not part of the problem.

But hey, I was under warranty and I deserved to have it looked at.

With the assistance of Acura Customer Relations, I got an appointment.
I went to the dealer this morning. They looked at it -- and wouldn't you
know it -- XM was refreshing in a timely manner. It exhibited NO delay.

I argued with these guys that I wasn't making any of this up. Why would
I take time off of work and drive 30+ miles in a leased vehicle for a bogus
problem?

Fortunately, the district Manager, Steve Nelson, was in the dealership
that morning. He was kind enough to call California and see what he
should do about this problem -- but he claims that without seeing first-hand
what problems XM is having, he can't do anything.

Additionally, he says that he would only be replacing the same exact
module that I have in my car. In other words, I have the fixed module that
all the recalled cars will be getting.

So my question is this....

Why is it that all of you that qualified and brought your Acura in for the
recall happy with the results? From what I read, your XM now works
perfectly. Meanwhile, I supposedly have the new module in my car and
yet I am having problems with my XM.

I am at wits end as to how to deal with Acura on this problem. The XM
refresh is an annoying problem, not to mention the occasional switching
to the preview channel.

It seems that if your VIN # does not qualify, you are out of luck.

ASP

Speak to the District manager. Mine is out of the VIN range and it is getting replaced on Monday. It took a little fight, but the fix was approved by the DM.

Acura clearly made the VIN range too small, not knowing how broad of an issue this is.

vp911

I agree. I would send a strong letter (certified) to ACS, Dealer and the District tech. Tell them this is unacceptable and they either repair the problem or they take the car back. It isn't so hard for them to do the repair - why they are fighting doesn't make ANY sense to me.

NJRonbo

Thanks for the responses.

Guys, I did talk to the DM. I mentioned that above.

His argument is that all they would be doing is replacing
the same exact part in my vehicle that is already in there.

He also feels that since it was not showing any delay at
the dealership, it is difficult for him to convince his superiors
to have the work done. He insisted he wasn't calling me a
liar.

vp911

Yes, but you are actually experiencing the issue. Tell them to drive your car for two days and you drive the RL demo. Then they can see the issue. I had to do this with my honda a few years ago for crazy vibrations through the steering wheel at a stop.

lbfcpa

Could you post the affected VIN numbers or provide a link? Many thanks.

ASP

I missed that part. That blows. Escalate any way you can. This is not acceptable.

Scroll down the RL page . . . there is a big post that covers this.

vp911

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=998

NJRonbo

I appreciate your concern guys.

I am interested to see if anyone else who is outside the
recall VIN range is or was having the same problems I am
and if they were able to get their dealer to do anything about it.

I also am curious to know for those outside the VIN range that
have had the work done, if it actually solved the XM problem.

If I could document some of your responses, it would help my cause.

In the meantime, I just returned from the Post Office. A certified email
went out to Acura Client Services.

spacklebucket

Yes. My VIN is out of range (by about 200 or so) and my dealer performed the fix as stated in TSB 05-022 after they were able to see the symptom of the problem. I'm picking up the car after work today. So, I'll let you know if this fixed the problem. I pretty much had no hassle with this. I spoke to ACS, they had the svc manager call me and set up an appt and they told me that if they could see the symptom and the software updates did not correct the problem, that they would fix it as per the aforementioned TSB. Hope this helps. Also - if you are in NJ, you should probably be using the same ACS rep as I am. PM me and I'll give you more info.

paul_philly

I too am in the same boat. XM channel refresh delay, no nav traffic and a newer VIN#. The dealer doesn't want to replace it - very infuriating!

Called Acura Client Services - no expanded updates as of today (9/28), but I was assigned a case manager.

The dealer has had my car for a week and no one seems to know what 05-022 actually fixes. I finally asked the Service Manager to listen to XM radio and watch the delay in refreshing the display - that should be clue enough that I am experiencing these same issues, regardless of some VIN number association.

His response was even if he sees it, the only thing he can do is have a Tech call the support line and ask what to do. Funny thing is they did that already and blamed my tinted windows for all my issues; "that has to be the problem since your VIN number isn't included in the TSB" said the Service Manager.

I am boiling over at this point.

vp911

This must be very discouraging for the owners of newer vin numbers. I can't believe they are giving so much hassle over this. I wish acura would train the dealerships to be more like lexus in their service departments.

NJRonbo

Spacklebucket,

Not sure how to PM you here, and I think mine is turned off.

Can you kindly send that rep information to: repstein@hometheaterforum.com

Put: Acura Rep Information in the subject header so I don't accidently delete.

...and thank you!

spacklebucket

got it....I'll e-mail you when I get home. I have the info written down there.

Gator5000e

If you got your car in July and the fix was just released in September, how could your car have the new module. In my discussions with ACS, they were still working on the fix. I also assume the assembly date of your car predated July. Also sounds like you've got a crappy dealer. I'd try to go to another. And constantly bug ACS and your case manager - mine was Doug, who was/is a 2nd level CSR.

bigal1950

Had good luck with Niello Acura in Sacramento, because I was experiencing XM delay and other XM issues, but had a newer VIN not in current recall. Dealer called Acura, who told them they will be expanding the recall to more VINs, so hang in there. And dealer was able to somehow get approval to replace my unit even though it was in VINs for future recall. XM refresh problem now fixed.

So hang in there.