Auto warrenty advice needed... please help

California

Okay.... here's the deal, I own a 2002 Acura TL-S (about $32k), purchased back in May of 01'. Last week, I took it into an Acura dealership (NOT the dealership where the car was purchased) to have the service dept check out a vibration during acceleration. I got a call later in the day from the service dept... informing me that my transmission was performing abnormally, turns out... that model (TL) has a history of bad "trannies." They told me that they WILL replace it (most likely a re-built tranny). However, they still weren't sure what the cause of the vibration was, and that they would figure it out when I bring my car back for the replacement of the tranny.

This past Wednesday, I took the car back to the dealership for the replacement of the transmission... Later in the day, they called me to inform me that the vibration (un-related to the bad tranny) was due to the damaged front axles!!! Both of them!!! I asked the serviceman if it was covered, and he replied "yes..." which was a relief.... HOWEVER....

....yesterday, I called the service dept. to get the status of my car, and they told me that the regional Acura rep. made the decision that they will NOT be covering the damaged axle because I had my car lowered with "sports performance" springs (aftermarket). First of all, I've asked around about this... and most people say that with a "moderate" modification, shouldn't void the warrenty. And I've spoken to several people that say they had similar problems, but their dealership took care of it (they were people with the same model car, but from other states). Second, that particular dealership has sold cars off the showroom with "sports" suspension that were aftermarket products...

Someone told me that there was a case in the past where either one person or a group of people (class action) sued Ford Motors for something similar... They won... and that all other car companies have to follow suit.... Is there anyone out there that's familar with the case? Please help me find it, either on line... direct me towards finding it... Because I'd like to present it to my dealership and hoping for a reversal on the Acura's Rep's decision.

Thanks,

[Skylyn]

From my understanding (not a lawyer) they can't void the warrenty if you can prove that the springs didn't cause the problem (and vice versa). However, lowering springs DO put alot of strain on stock axels (i.e., the lowered suspension is harsher and can cause the stock axels to break). Now, if the trans had gone bad, and then they said they wouldn't pay to replace it because of your aftermarket suspension, you'd have a case. You're probably SOL.

Next time, go back to stock before you go to the dealership to have problems checked out.

Okay... I thought of that, unfortunately, after I took the car in. BUT, I was wondering about something... I don't know if you'll know the anwser to this... First of all... I bought the car from a dealership in L.A. County, I'm about an hour away. The dealership that denied the coverage is down here in Orange County. When the service guy told me that the coverage was denied... I think he said it was some kind of "regional" person who made the decision, and NOT the actual dealership. My understanding was... this "person" makes all decisions on what gets fixed under the warrenty and what NOT. Anyway, here's my question... do you think they have some kind of "central network system" where it's been documented that my car (with the vin #) was declined a repair under warrenty due to modification? In other words... suppose, I have the stock springs installed back... and I take the car up to the dealership in L.A. where I bought the car... and just act like I don't know what happened... and see if they'll repair it under the warrenty? I'm just wondering if I'll "get caught" if you know what I mean?



Next time, go back to stock before you go to the dealership to have problems checked out.

Well, if "not getting caught" is the way you handle your business then you have nothing to lose because at this point you're holding the bag.

I can honestly say I have never seen anyone post a question asking how to "not get caught"!!!

Absitively, positutly disgusting!!

Originally posted by dadrummer
Well, if "not getting caught" is the way you handle your business then you have nothing to lose because at this point you're holding the bag.

I can honestly say I have never seen anyone post a question asking how to "not get caught"!!!

Absitively, positutly disgusting!!

...well, excuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse ME! I'm just a little bitter since I paid $32k for a car that's turned out to be a lemon. I lowered the car (slightly, for Pete's sake), in fact, they've sold cars off the show room with the same lowering springs, big deal! Now they are denying me a repair job that should be under warrenty... What would YOU do??? Come up with about $1,000 and just pay for it, and say "...awwww forget about it!"

BTW, is that the right way to spell "Absitively and Positutly?"

Oh, and another thing.... about the "NOT getting caught" thing? People do it every day... ask any attorney.

[Skylyn]

I have no idea whether you'd get caught taking it to another dealer. I usually need to replace the front axels on my Acura (integra) every year or so. After the second time of doing this, I bought "lifetime gauranteed" axels (aftermarket). They still break too, but I get replacements for free!!

Since you already know what the problem is, take it somewhere else and get it fixed, (i.e., not a dealer) it will be cheaper than $1000. Anyway, when moding an expensive car, keep in mind that "you gotta pay to play"!

[CMSC]

Why don't you ask the person who lowered your car if it could have caused any damage! Then when you appeal the insurance denial, have the person who did your modification state that it couldn't have caused the damage. IF it absolutely could NOT have caused it.

That's the way Jim Beam spells 'em.

Listen, just keep appealing to a higher level, all the way up to
Mr. A.C.Ura if necessary, each time your claim is denied.

Remember, no pun intended, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.
Everytime. Absitively and positutly!!

By the way, if you figure out a way to beat this please let us know what it took.

Good Luck

[stephenk]

Once you took your car into the dealership, the problem and decision by the manager was entered into their computer system. Any other dealership you take your car to will have access to the same information. That is how they can follow the maintenance history of a car that is taken to different dealers.

....yeah, I know. I kinda figured that out. Also, one of my clients told me that she once sold a car to a dealership (in a trade) in another Navada, and somewhere along... the car was purchased by someone in another state, and she was tracked down by that person inquiring about the history of the car... apparently, when a (used) car is purchased in another state, they don't have to reveal the history, but the buyer did his own research and was able to track her down.

What kind of springs did you buy and who did the installation?

Some meet the warranty requirements so u can appeal their decision, otherwise, any aftermarket product voids warranty.

Now, on the other hand, had they not noticed that the springs were different, u'd have new axels on your car for free! ; ) I think it's too late though because each local shop contacts a regional centre for warranty claim approvals...

Anyway, good luck.

Originally posted by effeddex
What kind of springs did you buy and who did the installation?

Some meet the warranty requirements so u can appeal their decision, otherwise, any aftermarket product voids warranty.

Now, on the other hand, had they not noticed that the springs were different, u'd have new axels on your car for free! ; ) I think it's too late though because each local shop contacts a regional centre for warranty claim approvals...

Anyway, good luck.

I have Neuspeed installed by Wheel Warehouse in Anaheim Ca. They are experts at lowering cars... unfortunately, I don't think Neuspeed have anything "worked out" with the Honda/Acura car company. I think Honda/Acura does, with a company call Comptec, which primarily make aftermarket stuff for Hondas and Acuras ONLY. And, YES... I know I know... if I had the original springs put on before taking it into the dealership, everything would be fine. But I'm pretty sure it's too late for that little trick, cause the denied coverage is posted somewhere in their central computer. I'm still working on it though. I went to a mechanic (who, believe it or not.... is rather honest), he told me that this whole satuation is unethical, he gave me some ideas, "directions to go" -if you will, to try. Calling Acura's Customer Relations is a start, and I'm pretty sure how I handle it on the phone, WILL make a difference. I'll keep you guys posted, thanks for replying.