Purchased my new 2006 TL on 3/25/2006

Pulling to the right so brought the car in to check it out one month later

1) Dealer repaired damaged right rear suspension
2) Needed complete alignment
3) Replaced defective tire
4) Rebalanced all other tires
Dealer asked me it the car had been in an accident. I asked the dealer if they sold me a car that had been in an accident.
5) 2 letters to dealer to investigate accident question - no response
Still not right - One month later
6) Car taken to another Acura dealer and it needed a compelte alignment again
Still not right - One month later
7) Suspension and sub frame completely unbolted and reset
8) 1 letter to Acura customer serivce to investigate accident question - no response
9) 1 call to Acura customer service to investigate accident question - no response
10) 1 letter to CEO of American Honda - Received call from customer service (cs) last month and process is not getting anywhere. CS says they have to get with both dealers. Dealer that sold me the car hasn't even responded to Acura CS
11) A classic car restorer pointed out what looks like repaired damage to the right rear fender. Its almost imperceivable but he saw it.
12) Car still pulls to the right, at times steering wheel will turn all by itself to the right when going over bumps in the road, at times steering wheel will turn hard to the right when braking, tires vibrate at 80 mph.

I'm trying to work a reasonalbe solution with Acura. What would you think is reasonable due to the unanswered accident question? A new RL or MDX as compensation for this car. I've almost had a couple of accidents with this car.

Has anyone ever had an upgrade for a defective car replacement?

The simple solution is just to file for Lemon Law and say farewell to Acura.

 

It's very interesting the no one wants to answer the "had been in an accident" question. I would have expected a few No's. You could always consult an attorney. Maybe a letter from an attorney might get someone to answer.

If the answer is No:
Keep after them until the problem is fixed. Use the Lemmon Law to get it replaced if they can't fix it in within your states rules.

If Yes:
Get a replacement TL or another equivalently priced vehicle.

Good Luck!

 

I did talk to an attorney and he wants to have some fun with this whole issue. He wants to take it to a local TV station and do a feature story on this whole case. I'm going to give Acura a reasonable chance to work something out before I would a media event out of this.

 

try with the dealer first and then go to the media. Just settle with the lemon law, it's isn't worth the hassel to try to get compensasion at this rate of responses.

 

A feature on what? How some guy who is fortunate enough to afford a TL is having a tough time getting a pull to the right fixed ? Let me get out my handkerchief. I don't mean to enrage, I just don't think you will get much traction with it.

Don't get me wrong, its not like you should have to lie there and take it because you can afford a nice car. It's smart protect yourself by consulting a lawyer and continue until you are satisfied. But a media event.? Hopefully your local media will reject it and prioritize their air time and show stories about "real travesties perpetrated upon mankind" (like DateLine )

"I'm going to give Acura a reasonable chance to work something out before I would a media event out of this." sounds like a good idea just as long as you continue to document and make forward progress. If they keep stalling then screw-em and go after them with the lawyer.

 

Many years ago I purchased a new VW Jetta at night. Next day took a 60 mile round trip and noticed a few problems. Took the car in, given a loaner and told to call in PM. I was told that they needed to order transmission and A/C parts, keep driving loaner.

I decided that I didn't want to start my ownership experience like this and requested a different car then just a refund. Long story shortened, VW took the car back, I got my trade back and a gift certificate. At that point I switched 100% to Honda products. It can be done, stick to you guns, don't accept no (or no response) for an answer.

 

All the "no" responses doesn't surprise me. I think I would keep my mouth shut too if I were them. But they will have to respond once you get an attorney involved. That's probably what they are waiting for.

I have serious doubts about an attorney that wants to make a media circus out of this. Seems to me a competent attorney would want to handle this with his own skills. Just my opinion....

I think the Lemon Law would disappoint you. You may want to do some closer inspection of how the law is implemented in your state. I believe you usually don't get another car. I believe they pay you back...minus the use you have put on the car. Every state can be different...I would check yours.

I would not lie down and take this. You buy a new car...you're entitled to a new car. Someone is hiding something.

 

I agree 100%. I would have a serious concern about using any attorney whose first throught was on getting publicity. You seem to have a good enough case to move forward on without that nonsense. I would recommend a letter campaign (certified) to the state's AG office as well as Acura Corporate and copy the GM at the dealer. Describe your concern, how the dealer initially asked the question about the accident, and have your car restorer friend document his experience and opinion. The thing may have fallen off of a truck during delivery or something, it happens more often than we'd like to admit.

The only suggestion that I would make is this. While you are documenting your experience, you need to give the dealer and Acura a way out. Suggest that the car could have been damage pre-delivery without the dealers knowledge. This will give them a way to save face in all of this, and may motivate them to help you out a little faster. Who really cares what happened to the car. as long as the end result is acceptable?

Good Luck

 

I worked a settlement on my own, My 2006 non-Navi for a brand new 2006 NAVI TL that I choose right off the shipping trailer. The deal was my car with 5000 miles and $1,600 for the new NAVI. In Florida, I would have to have paid $1,200 for the use of my non-NAVI per the lemon law rules. Acura threw in the 30,000 mile service which costs $400. So I was able to go from a non-NAVI to a NAVI for only $1,200 which if I went through the lemon law it would have been $1,200 non NAVI for Non NAVI. Plus I only had to pay tax on the $1,600, not the cost of the car.

 

Congrats! Sounds like "cooler heads prevailed" and you are satisfied. Sounds reasonable to me; you got more car than you had before and didn't have to pay an unreasonable amount to get there. Hope all goes smoothly from here on out.

Aren't you glad we all talked you out of the "media circus" route that layer suggested

 

Glad it worked out. Did they ever tell you anything about the condition of the old car?

 

That is the way to get things done. Good job.