My bro just bought a brand new pilot from Honda North in Butler, PA. He lives maybe 3 miles from the place. He drove it off the lot, and before he got it home it threw an emissions code, and then a CEL. Took it back immediately and they told him come back tomorrow all the techs already went home.

He takes it back and leaves it with them. Picks it up 2 days later, drives it off the lot, same problem. Takes it back, and hasn't seen it since. He opens a case with Honda corporate, and they've been understanding, but not very helpful.

It's now been 14 days and all he has is a loaner. The latest solution is going to be a new engine. Not sure if they can get it done in 16 days, but that's when lemon law goes into affect. He wants nothing to do with this vehicle. The whole experience has turned him off from Honda (this is his first) and I will also not buy another Acura (mostly because no MTs )

I'm absolutely disappointed with how Honda is treating him. It sounds like it's mostly the dealer that's screwing him over and I'm guessing corporate is doing their best.

Just wanted to vent, thanks.

 

Yup, that's how all brands treat their customers when they have problems. Chrysler didn't even give me a loaner for the few months their car was broken.

 

The car should have come with the Lemon Law paperwork. Fill it out and send it in. Honda will contact you asap and hopefully make it right. They took care of me with my MDX and got me into a 2007.

 

While this is certainly a crappy situation, he has a loaner vehicle and a new engine is being sourced. It could be worse.

 

It certainly could be worse but Imagine the OP's friends situation. You just dropped a LOT of money on a new car and it's already requiring an engine replacement. A good chunk of the car is being disassembled and put back together. That's not fair to a customer who bought a brand new car for reliability, safety, etc.

I hope that the paperwork was filled out and overnighted. If yes, you'll hear a response very quickly. I'd either ask for a refund or a new car with a few accessories to make up for the terrible inconvenience. Ensure that your friend is willing to work with Honda/Acura and DOES NOT SAY " I WILL NEVER BUY A HONDA ACURA AGAIN". If that's said, Honda/Acura will have ZERO incentive to help.

 

It is very close to the lemon law timeframe. Let them keep it and buy it back. At least he has a loaner.

 

Damn, that sucks. You know what, that's not the first I heard of a 2016 Honda throwing a CEL after driving it off the lot.

 

That is a distinctly unusual situation for a brand-new Honda. It's obviously a manufacturing defect.

Happens with every carmaker. I was in this situation with a Chrysler vehicle 17 years ago. Transmission died with only a few hundred miles on it, only a day or two after I took delivery. The dealer insisted on fixing it, and Chrysler refused to work with me at all. I got it back, took a bath on it, and sold it to run back to the Honda family (2G TL), where I've had no problems since. Given the way Chrysler corporate treated me then, and the subesquent poor performance of another Chrysler product (engine blew at 50k miles, WTF), I certainly will not be buying another (though I am sometimes tempted by the Trackhawk).

The OP's buddy has to stand his ground. At least Honda is willing to work with him in that he was offered a new engine and a loaner, I wasn't even offered that much in my situation.

 

100%

 

Grab a lawyer, post social media, get your local news crew, etc. You will be surprised how quickly they give you a new car.