2012 Odyssey - Sliding Door Alignment ?

[2012OdyOwner]

I purchased a 2012 Honda Odyssey Touring last week. It rides well and so far I haven't noticed anything major. One observation though. The left hand side sliding passenger door, does not close flush to the body and juts out about half an inch on the rear end (the door edge next to 3rd row window). I took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that its normal and is within factory tolerance levels. He said ALL 2012 Odysseys are like that. I compared to a few on the lot and they seemed fine to me. But the dealer insisted that its normal and did not want to touch the door fearing that it might mess up the alignment and the door may not close at all subsequently. Compared to right side, the left side is very conspicuously protruding out. Honda QC dept does not seem to be doing a good job and I wonder how these vehicles are passing inspection. Was wondering if any of you are observing the same issue ?
Photos attached are taken from the rear to show how the gap looks.
First photo : Left Hand Side Door with the gap
Second photo : Right Hand Side Door

[1tufgt]

Hmm wonder if our EX-L does that. I'll check and let you know.

[BigBoat]

Misalignment in doors - panels comes and goes it seems. Here are more threads:

2011 Quirks or am I too picky?

Did you notice any surface misalignment on your Ody?

[nomorenow]

wow, the left Alignment is pretty bad. Hope your Odyssey was not built on a Monday (bad QC) just kidding.

Since I love taking apart my Odyssey, just went and checked the whole sliding door.
Here what found about the sliding door, you can adjustments only the front side (top railing only).
The rear side is bolted on to the door, no adjustments can be made.
The latch on the body can be adjust by loosen a little bit to two big screws, and slide the latch inner till it flush with body.
Might take couple tries.........

btw: the screws is tight (just tried), before loosen those two screws, use a dry-maker to mark four dots of the orig spot (latch) before move moments.
just incase you wanted back to orig spot.

[BigBoat]

The latch on the body can be adjust by loosen a little bit to two big screws, and slide the latch inner till it flush with body.
Might take couple tries.........

I'm thinking that I would let the dealer do any of that as warranty. Reason being is the power feature, based on earlier threads the alignment/adjusting may affect the door opening/closing functionality

Hey nomorenow, anything else you have NOT taken apart? The taillights?

[2012OdyOwner]

Wow 'nomorenow', I saw the mod photos of your car and I do agree with 'BigBoat' that you seem to have reverse engineered most of the vehicle.

I tried to get this fixed from the dealer under warranty, but they just washed away their hands saying that's how the 2012 are rolled off the assembly line. In effect, they just declined to fix it. I was thinking of calling into Honda and sending my information. May be it will translate to a TSB.

I think the sliding motor may have some setting where it can pull in the door a bit more than it does now. The right hand door is flush, so I'm sure its a problem with fine alignment of left.

Any guidance on how to approach Honda on this or get in touch with their Engineering dept who I think issue the TSB's ?

[Happyvan]

I tried to get this fixed from the dealer under warranty, but they just washed away their hands saying that's how the 2012 are rolled off the assembly line. In effect, they just declined to fix it. I was thinking of calling into Honda and sending my information. May be it will translate to a TSB.

I think the sliding motor may have some setting where it can pull in the door a bit more than it does now. The right hand door is flush, so I'm sure its a problem with fine alignment of left.

Any guidance on how to approach Honda on this or get in touch with their Engineering dept who I think issue the TSB's ?

I think in general they are reluctant to do this type of work unless it affects its functions since body work is time consuming. I have some mis-alligned body panels and they gave the appearance of trying to fix it (e.g., pushing them with hands!) but never did fix it, you know what I mean?

Does the door work properly? Do you hear wind noise or squeaking as the car goes over bumps, or does the door allow water to get in? It will be much easier for them to justify fixing something that is functionally abnormal.

[2012OdyOwner]

I think in general they are reluctant to do this type of work unless it affects its functions since body work is time consuming. I have some mis-alligned body panels and they gave the appearance of trying to fix it (e.g., pushing them with hands!) but never did fix it, you know what I mean?

Does the door work properly? Do you hear wind noise or squeaking as the car goes over bumps, or does the door allow water to get in? It will be much easier for them to justify fixing something that is functionally abnormal.

Funny you mention it. The 'Head Service Guy' came out and pushed the doors with his hands and said that the slight edge actually helps with moving debris/water off the rear window. I was just chuckling in my mind on this bunch of baloney, as the right hand door is flush. Let me look into wind noise or water leakage. The door closes fine and seems to be working fine. I'm also not sure on how many of dealer service folks are 'Honda certified', hence hate for them to make the problem worse. Unless Honda issues some TSB with clear instructions, which I hope will help the dealer service experts to fix it.

[nomorenow]

Hey nomorenow, anything else you have NOT taken apart? The taillights?

Wow 'nomorenow', I saw the mod photos of your car and I do agree with 'BigBoat' that you seem to have reverse engineered most of the vehicle.

I tried to get this fixed from the dealer under warranty, but they just washed away their hands saying that's how the 2012 are rolled off the assembly line. In effect, they just declined to fix it. I was thinking of calling into Honda and sending my information. May be it will translate to a TSB.

@BigBoat.....the engine? LOL, I hope not (gotta do my 1st oil change next week, @5k miles)....otherwise pretty much all panels & extras.

@2012OdyOwner.....Thanks~! Is kinda fun taking this Odyssey apart. The more taking apart , the more I know of my own car.
Hopefully when you call Honda HQ (South Cal) and add this to the TSB, since you're not the only one.
Is kinda suck, when paid over $40k, and the dealer said is in the tolerance....WTH is that~!

[2012OdyOwner]

I called into Honda Corporate Customer Service. Explained the problem. Honestly not sure the person at the other end understood exactly what I was describing. But they did assign my case to the regional manager, gave me a case # and promised that I will receive a call within 2 business days. They politely assured me that the they will do all they can to resolve my case. So its wait and watch for now.

[Happyvan]

Personally I will wait until you get a few thousands miles on the car to see if there are other more urgent issues to fight over. You need to spend your "political capitals" so to speak more carefully. Odyssey is not the most reliable car made by Honda, just be aware.

[blkody11]

To help the OP out. I just checked mine. Flush as hell.

Man, there are some bad dealerships out there! Telling you thats "normal"? damn.

Please keep us updated on this.

[YinzerMama]

I think nonmorenow deserves to be elevated to some sort of god status wrt tinkering with the odyssey...

FWIW I went and looked, mine are both very flush.

[2012OdyOwner]

UPDATE: The Honda Eastern rep called me. Said she had not heard of the problem. When I volunteered to upload the photos I had taken, was told that their system does not support any photo uploads. She suggested that its best for me to take it back to the dealer, ask them to take photos and send to Honda. They will take it from there. I may take the vehicle to dealer later this week so that they can take some photos. I just don't want the dealer service folks ripping my door apart unless they know what they are doing. I have read horror stories on this forum where the service folks (supposedly Honda Certified Technicians) attempt to fix a problem and in the process break couple of more things.

For folks who have checked their door alignment, tnx for confirming that its not a broad issues (or rather actually is a design), as the dealer is suggesting.

Stay tuned for further updates......

[2012OdyOwner]

UPDATE 2: Took the vehicle in today to get it photographed. The Assistant Manager, took a look and said that it can be fixed. Within 20 minutes they aligned the door flush. Said it was a latch adjustment issue. The door is all flush now. Only side effect I notice is that when I pull the door handle to unlock, it needs more effort and I can feel resistance from the latch, while it attempts to open. So I guess, I will have to keep a watch on that. May be some grease in next servicing might fix it. I'm amazed at how this transaction panned out. From them claiming that it was a generic issue and cannot be fixed, to a quick fix in under 20 minutes.

To all you folks, if you notice any similar issues, please update this thread. I feel there is some alignment issue and Honda factory setting leaves the door a bit out of flush, so that it closes smoothly. I did see similar alignment on other vehicles at the dealer parking lot.

I'll update if I observe anything else.