ComplaintsforHonda of Columbia

• Initial Complaint

  06/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I am seeking either full repair of all seals in my vehicle or a full refund for work completed on December 12th, 2022. I took the car in on 12/08/2022 for a leak that was visible in my driveway, where I always park my car and it was related to something with the power steering system. On the 8th the Honda mechanics found that both P/S hoses were damaged and replaced them among other work I gave them permission to complete. When I left the shop that day, their service advisor Jared G****** decided to let my van sit on their blue painted floor to ensure that there were no further leaks. He let my van sit there for approximately twenty to thirty minutes and we both were satisfied that there were no leaks present. When Jared gave me the receipt for the work done that day he also proceeded to let me know that one recommendation had been made and it was to replace the timing belt. Looking at the paperwork now I see that it also notes, "Complaint: customer requests timing belt package" which is not correct. I never requested it but it was recommended. A few days later on December 12th I brought my car back in to Honda of Columbia to get the recommended work done. What can I say, I trust that they were there seeking my best interest. Eight hundred forty four dollars and eighty two cents later, I am warned of an aggressive engine oil leak caused by the "rr main oil seal and oil pump gasket, r&r (add oil & filter)" which was now the new recommended not done/ declined services, by the way these were not declined but documented that way prior to my knowing of these leaks. At that time I was unable to process that I came in there with no leaks and now suddenly I am leaving with an aggressive leak. Confused, distraught and disoriented, I left the store that day. Finally I returned seeking a resolution April seventeenth 2023 after speaking with the manager of service Preston Locklear and little was done to correct the matter, in fact it was further damaged causing vanshutoff

  Business response

  06/12/2023

  customer initially came in to have honda of columbia check out repairs from another facility and it was noticed at this time she had several leaks.  power steering rack was installed properly but there wer some power steering leaks coming from hoses off resivoir.  the vehicle is a 2007 with 190k miles on it.  we repaired the visible leaks that we seen and cleaned it off very well.  the entire engine was covered in fluid and have to start with known visible leaks.  with a vehicle with this age and miles on it when re[pairing leaks have to start at top and most visible leaks.  she was also due for timing belt package.  when customer came back in for that repair and we went further into the motor to do timing belt we noticed then that the oil pump and the reaar main seal had fluid coming from there.  with this age and mileage it is not uncommon for oil go to weakest point when replacing gaskets.  customer came back in to recheck oil leaks and honda of columbia took care of cost to replace rear cam plug and re clean everything to see how bad the rear main seal and the oil pump seal was leaking.  that was last time customer brought vehicle in and have not heard anything from customer since then.  thank you and please let me know if there is anything else i can help with. 

  Business response

  06/15/2023

  We have advised customer that if it is any sign of or anything we did by all means we will take care of it.  When we inspected it after the Timing belt Package there was no signs of any damage or anything from our stand point.  When customer called saying car broke down on her i wanted to get it in here and offer to pay tow if something that we did.  we want to make it right.   The rear main seal and Oil pump seals are normal wear and tear items and with age and higher mileage when you see it the most.  We are willing to help out with cost of repairs to meet customer at a point with the issues that she is having.

  Customer response

  06/16/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I asked for a full refund of the work that I paid to have done on my vehicle as of 12/8/22 or a free of all charges repair to all damaged seals on my vehicle since there is now apparent greater damage to my vehicle resulting from my visit to Honda of Columbia on 4/17/23, (I counted what appeared to be fifteen leaks on my driveway where I usually park my van). If these two options are not accepted as the solution in this case I am left to seek other compensatory methods which may lead to litigation. As much as I prefer to avoid the stress caused by matters such as these and I much rather work with people, I am always left to incur the losses.

  At the very least, I ask that you please explain what you mean when you say "we are willing to help out with the cost of repairs"? Please state what the equivalent of help is. In addition, when you say things like, "The rear main seal and Oil pump seals are normal wear and tear items and with age and higher mileage when you see it the most", you are negating the fact that I was driving my van just fine (even after the rear main seal leak was presented to me as a concern on 12/12/2023) and prior to the, and I quote, "pressure washed back side of engine and underside of engine" which was done on 4/17/2023. The other problem I am left with is how can I now be certain that my van would be returned to me in a fully functional and working capacity; without further damages. 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *******

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