I'll go with Maybe Not. The LMS recall is nothing major but also not insignificant for most (as this thread has shown) and the negative dealer stigma is only enhanced by posts like the above. Negative stuff is believed much more readily online than positive (actually this is true in most businesses). I hope most people have faith that their dealer can reliably complete the LMS recall without issues.

Shearer Honda in Rutland VT was quick, Reliable, and seemingly thorough. I'm not a fan of their Sales dept as many are used car sales men and their one Sales Manager is as greasy as he looks, But I only have to deal with them once/purchase. the Service Dept. on the other hand is exceptional and that's what I look for in a dealership because Honda made the car, and the service dept has to take care of it. the sales dept is what it is...

~SB

 

why isn't this thread pinned?

yes, it's had its ups and downs, and at times has been dysfunctional.... but it's the only thread discussing this friggin recall... and a lot of times you have to search around for it.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Spacecoast
what all needs to be removed in order to perfrom the repair? I want to be ensured that everything is put back properly.

Quote:
Originally Posted by smaglik
I got my voice mail earlier this week. I have only been to the local dealer here once, when I paid for an oil change prior to my 36k warranty expiring. At that point, they tried to sell me the 30k mi service. You know, the one that only exists at dealers?

Anyway, what all has to come off, bodywise, for this repair? I want to verify that everything is put back together properly. I apologize if this has been answered in this thread already, but I really do not care to read through 25 pages. Thank you.

wow. what a load of Puss. I asked a simple question...some people are helpful, others are not. Asking a question is not "an attitude", its seeking knowledge. The bad attitude being displayed seems to be you. I'm a member of a number of forumns, and this one seems to have a number of people that take pleasure in dealing out jerk responses.

Most likey I've been dealing with improper workmanship by others while you were still taking a dump in your shorts. So yea, I have a reason for wanting to know what parts and fastners will be ripped off my fairly new car.

 

You're better off asking your dealer service advisor the particulars. Very few, dare I say maybe two people here might actually know the fine details about the proceedure. Asking forum members isn't really the best source the majority of the time. If you're stuck with a shitty service department, that's a shame. No one should be, but that's in a perfect world. Since I've had the fix done, a completely painless hour and a half, my service center and advisor has contacted me twice to check up on how my car is doing, and of course looking for me to take a survey of their performance. I can't say anything but A+. I was nervous, but they did what they had to do and did it well. It's been an hour and a half pause in a flawless performance record from my Fit, even before the fix. A bad dealer experience is no small thing, but it doesn't mean it's gonna be a wide spread large thing either. Just bring your cars in and stop whinning! Chances are very likely all will be perfectly fine, no matter what a forum might have you believe.

Dan

 

Got the car back and glad that part is over....granted they took 3 days and after the car was returned my cowl was not aligned and missing clipsn but they fixed that.

Now the car feels better. It feels "tight" like my uncle's that has 29000. They performed a valve adjustment which I probably needed since I have close to 59k on mine.

Personally I have nothing against my dealership or service advisor except sometimes certain individuals dont give it their best at work...but I guess we have all done that from time to time. So long as the support is there and the end work is good, I'm a happy campy and still a Honda fan and FitFreak...

 

Good to hear. My Fit missed the recall - I was really hoping for the free valve adjustment. Watch out for the pot holes.

 

Negative dealer stigma is well-earned. I listed 3 personal experiences documenting why I feel that way. You chose to ignore them. I can list more, but it'd be more productive pissing into a windstorm.

I am not sure which world of bliss you live in, but I sincerely hope your luck continues. I will continue my life in the real world. Good luck!

 

To be truthful, many folks that visiting auto forums tend to have problems. Many see it in a way resulting in not give positive reviews regarding dealer service. It's understandable. We've all been there and will be again - God willing and the creel don't rise.

Some how it always blossoms in the discussions. Like talking oil...

SB makes a good point and I'm not sure anyone missed why you feel as you do.

Would help if you would bullet those three personal experiences again, briefly.

 

as long as my dealer will sell and install an air cabin filter to me for $107, my faith in them is on a very short leash.

 

Hmm, once I pull my head to inspect the gasket, so long as the head is not cracked and the block is not scored, I wonder if I could just bring the head to the dealer. I don't see why not. Plus there would be much shitting of bricks which would be worth the lulz. I would just do it myself but I'm not fond of feeler gauges.

 

Not ignoring, Cant' find. I'm Interested in these 3 experiences - I just can't find them so do link to them when found.

Let me know how real world works out for you and if my real world experiences are bliss... I'm good with that as I prefer to have good experiences. I've had them here in VT with shearer, I've also had goods experiences in PA with two Honda dealers (Bloomsburg & also Williams Honda in Sayre) My only negative experience was with PlanetHonda in NJ and that was strictly with the Sales dept. Don't know about the service.

did you follow up with Honda Corp on any of the bad experiences?

This is one where I'd follow up with Honda corp. Unless people do their part, things like that will continue to happen and every voice does matter. The problem is that people are often too complacent, especially when other options are around.

On other side, this doesn't necessarily relate to the quality of service that would be given to the recall. They may be experienced techs and do quality work. At least in NJ, there are plenty of Dealerships. VIP in north Plainfield has good owners (Bill Vince from BV Bridgewater Acura where my Prelude and integras were all purchased & serviced). They were always interested in my feedback and if VIP is anything like the Acura dealer, they'll be good.

The benefit of being in NJ is that if you don't trust one dealer you do have other options.

~SB

 

Well, I left one Acura dealer in NY after having my brakes 'fixed' and 'fixed' they were as the brake pedal sank to the floor a few blocks from the dealership (this was more than fifteen years ago). Another Acura dealer replaced two batteries, an alternator and a lot more equipment trying to figure out why my battery kept dying, charging me over $400 (20 years ago) during the process of many, many visits-- turned out it was the aftermarket alarm system they installed that I'd never asked for (they did make good on arranging to make up to me the money I'd spent on this mess when I threatened to sue them).

And then of course there are all the dealers who tell us we need extra services- fuel injector cleaner/service, more frequent tune-ups, etc.

And then the Infiniti dealer who made a deal on the phone, very clearly for a specific model, but when I got there he said no, I must've misunderstood, it was for the cheaper model.

The VW service manager who said to my face that my six year old car was too old and I shouldn't expect it to run well (I asked him if he wanted me to go upstairs to the sales floor and tell potential customers what he just said).

When I bought my Fit the dealer (Yonkers Honda) was straightforward with me, but other dealers I dealt with on the phone were not so fair-minded.

That said, these are the bad experiences (and one good one). I've also had a few dozen good experiences with dealer service departments. Or maybe not 'good' experiences so much as they seemed to do what they were supposed to do.

And I expect no less. A baseball player batting .300 is doing well. We expect a higher success ratio from car repair folks, doctors, food vendors, etc.

But when people say they don't trust car dealers, I think that unfortunately car dealers have earned that reputation. Not all are dishonest but there's a lot of dishonesty built into the system. Maybe service departments can't run at a profit if they don't sell people stuff they don't need, and the sales department can't make money if they don't screw some customers, but that shouldn't put the burden on me.

 

^this. Honda Tech's are people too- make friends, I have often times left the service writer out of the loop completely and just dealt with the person working on my car. Even in cases where I'd want the issue to be documented (recall like this) , thus having to go through the service writer, it helps to know the tech gives half a care about your car because he knows you.

Back on topic: I kind of want my car to be recalled for the free valve adjustment, but I think I'm out of luck- my vin isnt within the range and no letter in the mail. Ah well.

 

I agree with this. Even if you make a new edited post, with perhaps the service bulletin only...for information and direct recall experience and questions only.

In my opinion this is suppose to be a Honda Fit dedicated forum, and this is a HUGE issue affecting a large, large number of Honda Fit owners and to have 1 contaminated thread about it, that isn't even stickied, is ridiculous.

 

It is... just not it's own specific Sticky. it is listed in the TSB's and Recalls section with a link to this and one other Thread.

Honestly, the last thing we need is MORE stickies. Lets get rid of some that are already up there like that damned GE/GD debate thread and how do I unlock my doors... (put it in the How-To/DIY section)

~SB

 

I am kind of tempted to take the important posts from here, make a new thread and post it above this one.

At the same time I want some of you lazy sacks to get aquainted with the search feature.. ;D

So I am torn. The schadenfreude has been worth it so far.

Edit: For the resident drama queens... this is not a HUGE issue.

It is an important one no doubt, but as far as engine work goes.. pfft you don't even have to remove the head unless there is damage and there have only been 2 cases of actual damage out of ~95,000 recalled vehicles that I have been able to find. You don't even have to re-time the motor or any of that fun stuff.

The valve cover and rocker bridge get popped, then you yank some of the rocker arms, pull the springs, sacrifice a goat, something about a virgin, re-assemble and then do a keg stand.

Ta-daa.

 

Haven't received the notice in the mail yet but the owner's link website now shows that my Fit is affected. It reads: Your 2009 Honda Fit is included in the 2009-10 Fit Lost Motion Spring Campaign.

 

I just received a phone message from Honda on Friday afternoon about my Fit being part of the recall, but haven't received the letter yet.

I'm going to call my dealer tomorrow anyhow and see about getting an appointment to get the work done.

 

I'd call ANY RECALL that includes over 90,000 vehicles, and any level of engine disassembly a huge issue for a lot of people. It's even bigger if you look at worldwide numbers. If you own a GE-08 Honda Fit what singular issue would you imagine is greater?

Hint: This is big news if you own a newer Honda Fit.

DSM...your explanation of the process is helpful, could go a long way to reducing people not as mechanically inclined as you obviously are, fears.

But your inability to post without childish name calling really clouds what could be helpful.

Better a Drama Queen than a Asshole.

 

My three experiences were listed at the end of a paragraph...not that hard to overlook. All three had to do with service advisors trying to sell me and my father un-necessary services. That kind of behavior makes me distrust, well, really anything they tell me that needs to be done. I have not had any seriously incompetent work done, though it did take them 3 tries to fix the gearbox on my 07 v6 accord (notchy shifter on the 6MT).

Honda dealers are not alone in this, as someone else has already commented. BMW dealers can be much worse, as there is the arrogance piece of the puzzle: you bought one of our overpriced cars so you can afford to pay whatever we ask you, even if our diagnostic process is based upon throwing parts at the car. Little do they know that you bought the car when it was 6 yrs old and do most of the work yourself, when you can. Even at that, the BMW dealer in Lafayette, Indiana is phenomenal. When I had to replace my coils (misfire issue, no codes, so not covered by TSB), they told me to go to napa and do it myself.

I think that the key takeaway from this is that you really need to have done your homework before going to any shop, including a dealer, otherwise you are opening yourself up to un-necessary wallet drain.