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https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/login.asp?brand=honda
You do have to sign up, but it doesn't take long and the information can be useful.
As for the delay, AFAIK that has been identified as being part of the design. However, if the delay exceeds two seconds or so, or if you have to try twice to get it to engage, that's a problem.
My mother is about to purchase her first new car, and we really need it to be reliable and be capable of lasting a long time. Because of this, we pretty much skipped the domestic automakers, and VW (Though the passat and jetta are quite nice), and we were drawn to honda and toyota because of their reputation for making quality cars.
From reading all of these really valuable forums here on edmunds, I am just not sure what to think of Honda and the Accord anymore. I mean, cases all over the internet complaining about transmission issues, as well as major problems with rattles and squeaks (Even more unacceptable IMO, since if I wanted those I would have bought a domestic.) Rattels and squeaks would drive me mad and would make me hate a car that we just spent more then $20k on. Unfortunately, all of this is making me want to dismiss the Accord as crap (as or 2003/2004), but deep down, I really dont want to since we would have to pay about 2000 more for a comparably equipped camry.
Sorry if my post is annoying or offensive to anyone, I just don't want our family to drop alot of money on a car that might turn into a lemon in a few months, and want a car that will keep us happy for years to come.
Can anyone give me the VIN ranges that ID where a car was manufacturered? I remember seeing this on a site somewhere and (stupid me) didn't print it out. I have heard speculation that the japanese built accords have fewer build quality problems than the ones built in Ohio.
Has Honda corrected the trannys of accords that are currently coming off the assembly line (including the trannys of the 4 cylinder models) since they did a recall of the V6 accords? If they did update the transmissions of all accords that are coming off the assembly line, does anyone know the build date that I should look out for so that I can know whether the tranny of an accord that is on a dealer's lot was fixed at the factory?
Sorry about the long post, I just would prefer not to write the accord off as a piece and end up paying more and getting less with the camry
FWIW: My 04 Accord has been flawless for the last 19,000 miles. Don't let Edmunds affect your view of the Accord. Overall there have been approx 600,000 03-04 Accords sold and the complaints you see here on Edmunds are a very, very marginal percentage of actual sales.
Can you point me to the writing that states the tranny engagement delay is normal? I would guess that to be true for the V6's since my 03 did the same thing (but not the 4 cyl cars) but would like to see it documented somewhere.
As for your other question, all I remember is that there was some extended discussion on Edmunds about the transmission engagement delay some time ago, and that people who asked their service departments about it were told that it was normal. But I don't believe anyone in that discussion had reported an extensive delay or multiple attempts at engagement being required. So if you're experiencing either of the latter 2 situations, I'd ask your service department about it.
Ah...get sloppy, lazy or in too much of a hurry and not bother to see that the old gasket stuck on the block which happen fairly often!
That's how.
And, yes, Honda dealers can screw up too.
From AHC recall:
What are "certain operating conditions"?
Extended cruising in top gear with a high engine load but small throttle opening can result in limited oil flow to second gear, causing localized heat build-up. These conditions should be rare. Examples may include extended towing in top gear on a very flat road with a throttle opening of 1/4 or less; or frequent driving up a road with a very consistent slope of approximately 3.5~6%, again maintaining a throttle opening around 1/4 or less.
Under most circumstances, small road undulations or throttle corrections cause the vehicle to go in and out of torque converter lock-up, varying engine rpm, and therefore increasing oil flow to the gears. Increased oil flow dissipates heat and prevents second gear damage.
Not disappointed about the recall, but VERY disappointed about the continuous usage of a flaw design into 03/04 models.
Regarding squeaks/rattle, I don't have any yet, but I was on one very bumpy section of road and I did notice that that armrest/power window control area on the drivers door seems like it could be one area susceptible to a squeak. There is alot of "play" in that assembly when you push it in and out.
D engagement delay - Mine is less than two seconds but it is noticeable and the 4 cyl trannies don't have it (at least the three that I have driven). When I say "double engagement" I'm not meaning that I have to try twice but rather that the tranny bumps twice before I take off. No, I'm not rolling backwards when I shift into D. Yes, my 03 V6 and 04 V6 did/do exactly the same thing which is why I think this is just a characteristic of this tranny. Kind of a safety issue, though
Still love our Hondas though. No problems with this one cept we would rather have a manual tranny when given a choice.
my '03 v6 coupe's tranny has that delay when shifting from say R to D. but i've just gotten used to it. and i don't perceive it as a safety issue...just an annoyance issue since i have to wait before hitting the gas pedal. i think it's just the way the tranny is designed and not a flaw...jmo!
how are you going to live without ABS?? i could never go back to not having ABS on a daily driver.
The car we set out to buy yesterday was a 97 Honda CRV AWD 5-speed MANUAL. Couldn't believe we actually found a 5-speed CRV. However, by the time we got to the CRV it was no longer available.
The information dealt with the V6 only... they've made no statements regarding any problems with the 4 cylinders.
personally i wouldn't be surprised if 4 banger models are evetually involved in these recalls too.
This is definately making honda look very unattractive to me...
In any case, cars produced since the gear problem was discovered have a modified transmission IF MODIFICATION WAS NEEDED, so buy the car if you like it........Richard
I have a 2003 Accord V6 that is affected by the recall, and I'm satisfied with Honda's response to this whole thing. I would say exactly the same thing about the transmission in my Accord... I've had no problems with it and it's definitely the best automatic that I've ever driven in any car. It's so much better than the transmission on my previous 2000 Accord V6 that there's essentially no comparison.
As for the 4 cylinder, everyone has to decide what they're comfortable with. Despite all of the speculation that we're engaging in, I personally don't feel there's anything that would warrant avoiding a 4 cylinder Accord. But if others feel differently, that's their call.
of course it's entirely possible that honda has a secret warranty in place on these trannies...let's hope so in order that some folks will be able to avoid having a maalox moment!
Why they're so different is anybody's guess.
anyway, i think i'll broach the headliner issue (as it's the most annoying) when i take the care in for the tranny recall...wish me luck!!
the other rattles started a month or so after delivery...
it's partly my fault that i haven't been more proactive in having the dealership try to rid the car of these rattles. but i just cringe at the thought of them trying to work on the headliner...! the center console squeak was so annoying i had them fix that...
anyway, hope yours doesn't get like mine!
Thanks.
........Richard
How was the recall performed? Was everything completed from under the hood or was the vehicle on a lift and the work was performed from underneath? Did they have to remove the tranny fluid?
Thanks