[odyfan2011]

Along with a used 2008 honda odyssey from the dealer, I (thankfully) bought the "certified" used car warranty.

2-1/2 months after my purchase my honda odyssey 2008 EXL does not start. All the other battery functions work normally (headlights, sliding doors etc). So I decided to call honda care.

They were unable to locate based on my VIN (inspite of getting the letter from Honda, CA office about 1-1/2 months ago). But he scheduled a towing the next day (which is this morning). He promised there would be a confirmation call, but I have not got any call. I am trying to reach the number to confirm this service, but the automated response goes all the way to "connecting to a live agent" and then drops my call.... really frustrating...

I have two concerns:
1. Honda care seems pretty hard to reach
2. Reading other posts, looks like the dealers are going to give me a tough time to cover the repair under the "certified used honda" warranty that I have. Where should I appeal, in case that happens?

please share your experience with honda care for me.

Also, I will keep you posted as to how smoothly my towing and repair on my odyssey 2008 EXL works out.

Thanks.

-odyfan2011

 

[dvpatel]

HondaCare offices are in California. So, you trying to call 'em at 8:00 AM Eastern means you're trying to call them at 5:00 AM their time. I have always had good luck getting a hold of 'em after 10:30 AM Eastern so that would be 9:30 AM your time if I am not mistaken. Try again that time and you should be able to get a hold of someone.

Dealers in the past have made mistakes where they send in the wrong VIN so the warranty is on a different van and not yours. Its a mistake and it can be corrected quite painlessly.

I recommend double checking the VIN on the booklet/card you got and comparing it with the actual VIN of the vehicle and be armed with that information when you do make the call.

In general, I have not had trouble reaching Honda or HondaCare the few times I have tried to call 'em.

 

[odyfan2011]

"certified" vs "honda care"

Hi DVPATEL, Thanks for your response.

You are right. Exactly at 9 AM Central, I was able to get hold of the customer service folks.

Here is what I found out by calling the 800-999-5901 number (certified contract). The certified contract is *not equal* to "Honda care". So the towing, while will be provided, is going to be charged. If it turns out to be a fault with the van that is covered, then they will reimburse me for 100$ for the towing service. If I had honda care instead, then towing would be completely free irrespective of whether it is a covered repair or not !!

Also when selling the used van, the dealer salesman (liar !!) told me this "certified" gives me bumper-to-bumper warranty. The cust service rep clarified that is not the case. Battery is not covered under this "certified" used car contract. And typically I read later on the odyclub forums that the battery life for the orig battery is 3 years. Since its a 2008 van, I guess it was just the right time :nothappy:

I called the nearby honda dealership and the service advisor heard the issue and told me it is definitely to do with the battery. What was misleading was that the headlights were fine and the sliding doors worked...and it was giving a clicking noise and the dashboard lights were flickering .. the engine just wouldnt start. These symptoms were not mentioned in the manual - in fact the manual says, if the headlights dont dim, then its mostly not a battery issue ---- totally mislead me !


Then I read through the forums on jump-starting the van and also ran across posts by you (DVPATEL) which helped me ... Really, finding a shiny bolt under the hood for grounding was a big challenge.. I was tempted to use the tail-pipe :rollingeyes:

Also, another thing is that the nearest honda dealer told me he will honor the "certified" warranty if the van needs any repair that is covered under the warranty... even though, I did not buy the van from him

So thank you DVPATEL again for your response and other posts... and keep them coming.

-odyfan2011

 

[odyfan2011]

Regarding the VIN issue

Addendum to my previous post :

As per the customer service rep, the reason my VIN wasnt showing up when I called roadside assistance (provided by cross country) is because I am not eligible for free roadside assistance. As he clarified, they still added me on the list and if the tow truck would have shown up, he would have charged me for the service. (out of which 100$ would be reimbursed if it is a repair covered under the "certified" contract).

 

[wild willy]

I have to Say...Honda Care is a great product........And saved me thousands in repairs and rentals on the POS Van Honda built for me. They are great to work with and give stupid service advisers hell when the fock up...which is often.

 

[DavidGSR]

Addendum to my previous post :

As per the customer service rep, the reason my VIN wasnt showing up when I called roadside assistance (provided by cross country) is because I am not eligible for free roadside assistance. As he clarified, they still added me on the list and if the tow truck would have shown up, he would have charged me for the service. (out of which 100$ would be reimbursed if it is a repair covered under the "certified" contract).

Is ther a Hondacare option that does not include roadside assistance? I thought they all did? Maybe I need to get check out my contract.

 

[wild willy]

Is ther a Hondacare option that does not include roadside assistance? I thought they all did? Maybe I need to get check out my contract.

Not to my knowledge...but things may have changed. Only options were the Miles/Time and Deductable......

 

[odyfan2011]

clarification

This is odyfan2011 again...

Just to clarify : I have the honda "certified" used car contract and ***not*** honda care. Even though it goes to the same customer service number, certain things with "certified" contract are not free... for e.g. the roadside assistance. Those are free with the "honda care" contract and maybe charged to the customer having the "certified" contract.

Hope that clarifies and allays the fears of those having the honda care contract.

 

[UmmGooD]

Hi DVPATEL, Thanks for your response.

Also when selling the used van, the dealer salesman (liar !!) told me this "certified" gives me bumper-to-bumper warranty. The cust service rep clarified that is not the case. Battery is not covered under this "certified" used car contract. And typically I read later on the odyclub forums that the battery life for the orig battery is 3 years. Since its a 2008 van, I guess it was just the right time :nothappy:

I would press for it to be replaced. I also purchased a 2008 Odyssey (Certified) and it indeed comes with a 12 month 12k mile bumper to bumper warranty from the used purchase date/mileage. After that period the vehicle is covered for 100k (power train only) from the original new car sale date. The certification requires that the dealer fix wear and tear items that are not within certain specifications (wipers, tires, batteries, brakes, etc...). I am sure since you have only had the van for 2.5 months you could push and get the battery covered.

As far as towing that probably isn't covered since you didn't buy the Honda Care extended warranty. I purchased it with mine since I bought a Touring edition and I was worried about all the extra electronics. Now mine has bumper to bumper coverage for the 100k instead of just powertrain.

 

[mathewjeffery15]

I received this notice from Honda with this warning on my 2009 Accord V6. They said the parts "will be available in late Summer/Fall 2016". They have an advisory to "avoid having a passenger sit in the front passenger's seat until the recall repair has been performed". However, they make no mention of the driver's side airbag. I am sure the warning applies to both but they don't mention that. One, they should be honest about driving the car until it is repaired and two, they should also do it as soon as possible, and three, make arrangements for the owners to have a safe car to drive until it can be repaired.