Honda Accord Quality Control Issues

rcc8179

I agree that Honda initially dropped the ball with the brakes. The problems they had from the beginning were unacceptable. But I have the updated pads on my '03 4-cyl EX and have had no problems with them in the 6k miles since they were installed.

My brakes warped the first time at 6k miles on a long trip. The front rotors were turned at 9k and were warped again by 11k. I went on another long trip about 19k miles, and they were terrible when I got back. The front rotors were turned a second time and the rear rotors turned the first time at 21k miles. At this point I started to drive like my grandmother, but by 23k miles they were warped again. I went on another trip at 27k miles and again they were really bad when I got back. At 30k miles the front pads and rear rotors were replaced and the front rotors turned a third time. At 36k miles, the brakes are still smooth. Of course, I brake smoothly, don't tailgate or ride the brakes, and limit my high-speed braking to emergencies only when possible.

Has your dealer checked for other brake problems--sticking calipers, etc.?

justin

they have checked the brake system, so they say. they are content to blame me. some of the stories they have made up are real "doozies"....

justin

just called Honda Cust Service at the 800 number. spoke with LaVerne. i asked her for the name and address (for FedEx purposes) of the CEO. she would not give me the name of the CEO of Honda. isn't that illegal? in the U.S., aren't we supposed to get to know who that person is?

Honda is digging themselves in deeper and deeper. i just did a search on brake issues on the NHTSA website....they are in some serious trouble with this stuff. i guess they know it since they have been instructed to not give out the name of the person ultimately responsible.

does anyone happen to have that info? if so, could you give it to me?

Thanks!

anonymousposts

According to honda's website the president and ceo of honda is Takeo Fukui.

Just curious if you have tried more than one dealer?

rengleka

I just came from the dealership and purchased an accord v6 with navigation. I read that when you have it set in auto mode it will switch from day mode to night mode according to the driving lights being on or off. Currently I have the mode set in auto but the screen remains bright (like it is in day mode) regardless of if I have the lights on or off. Is something wrong with the system or do I just have something set wrong? Thanks

sockpuppet1969

You probably have the dimmer knob turned all the way up so that it is in day mode all the time regardless of ambient light. Turn the dimmer (little black knob behind the steering wheel on the instrument panel - the same knob/button as the trip odo) a little to the left and that should fix it.

gee35coupe

Edmunds was lit up like a Christmas tree. I don't see that with the brakes. I don't think the "hole" is as deep as some make it out to be.

justin

i have not tried another dealer. the factory rep is the one who approved, as a "one time customer courtesy", my current dealer to turn the rotors (without replacing pads - makes sense, huh?). so any dealer in my region is going to know not to touch my car unless i pay.

i was able to find out that Takeo Fukui is the CEO on Google. thanks for checking though! i am trying to find a non-PO BOX address for his offices.

like i said, i went to the NHTSA site yesteray. for 2003 Accords, the only word to desribe the sight is "Christmas Tree", unfortunately. more like "4th of July" fireworks.....

why did i never research that government sanctioned site before i bought my cars???? (kicking myself). live and learn i guess.

isellhondas

And they haven't seen any problems to speak of with these. They did tell me Honda revised the pad material at one point as has been mentioned in these forums.

Justin, just how often do you brake from "high speeds"?

atlantabenny

Even Edmunds' 2003 long-termer had warped rotors and bad pads at 13k miles (excerpt: "Our Accord did suffer from a bout of warped rotors at just 13,000 miles").

My wife, who drives gently, warped her rotors at around 7k miles and again at 14k.

How frequently one brakes from high speed is a question perhaps a Hyundai, not a Honda, dealer would ask. Time was when pushers of "new, improved products" would even dare consumers to abuse products to demonstrate robustness.

A question Honda owners, imo, wouldn't like to hear from their sales professional. This writer included.

rengleka

yep that worked...thanks

abromson

were required for my '04 Accord 6 cyl 6 spd. This brand new car developed pulsating brakes that soon(see prior posts April '04). I demanded and received new rotors and pads. So far,no problems. But I was shocked and disappointed that this would be the case with a Honda. Its reputation for quality control and reliability is why I bought the car.

isellhondas

If you can forget the fact I happen to sell Hondas...I'm just curious and trying to find a solution.

That's why I asked the guys in the shop.

imidazol97

Is this related to a change to "sintered metal" rotors?
When GM did this I had problems on a LeSabre. Replaced with Raybestos high line rotors and no more problems. The replacements weighted about twice as much. I wondered if the original metal was a light version; it also pitted leaving holes.

justin

isell -

i don't often brake from high speeds as most of my daily driving is stop and go. but, my idea of "high-speed" is like going from 50 down to 10 in a quick amount of time. when i brake slowly, they seem to work better. however, even in my old Hyundai, i could brake the heck out of the car (and all my other cars) and have no probs whatsoever.

another question-

i have beige leather seats. i usually put a black leather messenger bag on the passenger seat. i am noticing the the passenger seat (none of the other seats) has some darker markings on the seat bottom (where your butt would sit). anyway, it MUST be from the black bag.

i have tried Eagle 1 leather cleaner - the stains wouldn't come off. anyone recommend anything else? i want to take the black leather stains off, without taking the stain out of the beige leather as well.

Thanks!

isellhondas

Have they checked to see if just maybe you have a sticking caliper? That would cause a lot of heat build up which would warp your rotors.

Be careful what you use on your leather seat! I've used a leather cleaner called Lexol that worked well. They sell a conditioner too that I try to remember to apply once a year. If you use anything too harsh it'll damage the leather.

You might want to check with a quality detail shop.

tprice

I took my 2003 EX-L to the dealer because we noticed that the bolster on the left side of the drivers seat had several splits in the leather. They have ordered a new seat cover which should get here in a couple of weeks. The car is 11 months old w/14K miles. I was advised that it is considered "wear and tear" but that Honda will take care of it as a one time courtesy/goodwill gesture - it was duly noted on the repair order that I was advised that this is being covered under warranty as a one time deal. Furthermore, I was told they have seen several of these -which suggests some kind of a design flaw to me. The service person told me that he thinks problem is due to how much the bolsters stick out and only advice he could offer was that I pay closer attention to the pants I'm wearing, enter/exit more gently, etc.. Concerns me that could potentially be looking at same issue in another year or so (i.e., 400 for seat cover + installation not covered under warranty). Have owned a lot of vehicles with leather and have never experienced such poor performance. Just looking if any similar experiences or suggestions. Obviously not enough to send me car shopping but definitely taints my unwavering loyalty to the Honda brand a little. This may change if no problems with new seat cover!

blane

I'm just catching up with over 140 posts on this thread.

Even though I am otherwise COMPLETELY SATISFIED with my 2004 Accord EX Coupe with Navigation, I have a couple of comments about the door locks.

When the doors are locked, it is not possible to open them from the inside of the vehicle by pulling on the handle. It is necessary to first press the power lock switch to the unlocked position. This is probably a design feature intended to prevent kids from accidentally opening a door while the vehicle is in motion.

I find the extra step to be an annoyance and a potential hazard to someone trying to exit the vehicle in a panic/emergency. I would have preferred power door locks (as in many other brands) that lock automatically when the vehicle is moving over three or four mph and unlock with a pull of the inside handle.

Regarding lock cylinders on passenger doors, I feel that all manufacturers should eliminate the keyholes on both front doors so that it will be more difficult for thieves to jimmy the locks. That will lead to reduced insurance claims for stolen cars and eventually to lower insurance rates. (Tongue now removed from cheek)

rcc8179

I am normally not a big fan of Chrysler (they're okay, but nothing special), but I like their door lock setup as well. They lock automatically when you first hit 15 mph and they stay locked when you turn off the car. Both the front doors unlock when you pull on the inside handle. But having said that, I don't really care that much--I usually drive alone and generally do not lock the door unless I am driving long distances.

I think Honda has it right with one lock cylinder. It is recessed into the door handle to make it harder to tamper with. Also, with keyless entry being almost universal now, there is not really much of a need to put the key into the door anymore. But if the battery dies in your keyless transmitter, you need the key cylinder to be able to get into your car.

gregoryc1

There should be a "key cylinder" in both front doors! What did Honda save in production, ----one dollar? I will bet some engineer received a "corporate award" for this so called improvement! What is really funny, is that these same engineers write the owner's manual, and tell people to drain the engine oil every 5,000 or 10,000 miles.

atlantabenny

Among Honda products, Acura was first to delete the mechanical key system - for the trunk of the 1st gen CL. I remember car journalists reacting to that one, but now they don't even talk about it in subsequent keyless vehicles.

While I believe that the customer is always right and that, consequently, Honda should at least offer legacy systems as an option, it doesn't hurt to understand that Honda has - from all indications - a minimalist approach to making cars.

The company imo still represents Japan at its best: no-frills, efficient and improvisatory.

blane

Gregory,

Please just GET OVER IT. It seems that NOBODY else cares about single cylinder concerns. Just enjoy the ride.

bioman

We are completing our first month of ownership of our EX V6 coup. The only issue seems to be a rapple in the headliner when going over very bumpy roads. I noticed a number of other Accords have this issue. I believe I have found a possible solution without going back to the dealer for repair. In my particular case I was able to eliminate the rattle, so far, by gently pounding on the headliner with a clinched fist. I performed the "pounding treatment" twice and the headliner rattle seem to be gone. Time and temperature changes will tell if the problem is resolved. Other than the rattle, the car has exceeded our expectations.

The missing lock cylinders for the trunk and passenger door has not dampened the good vibes we feel for our new Accord Coup since we use the keyless entry to open the doors and the trunk. For the folks who have a problem with the cylindres being missing, think of the increased MPG's you're getting because the the missing mass.

Bioman

sockpuppet1969

I agree with blane - get over it Greg. The car does not come with a passenger side key cylinder. You should have noticed that before you bought the car if it was so important. Same for the oil change issue. Everyone is going to do what they think is best for their car and their wallet. You have stated you opinion ad infinitum, enough already.

And while I'm at it, what's with the "inappropriate quotation marks" in all your posts? They make absolutely "no sense".

talon95

Perfectly stated... my sentiments exactly!

isellhondas

For a customer, even ONE customer to even mention the missing keyhole and so far, not one person has nor have I heard from any other salesperson that the've had a complaint.

Must not be much of a problem after all?

gregoryc1

I don't want to "get over it"! I am making the monthly payments! Honda didn't send me a "memo" on this subject. They didn't send me a "fax" on this subject . They didn't ask my permission with regards to removing the cylinder. They just removed the cylinder, and after I took delivery of this vehicle, I discovered that it was missing. I find this to be VERY inconvenient, and I don't like it! My 2000 Accord had two cylinders. YES, I want it all!

gregoryc1

I should have noticed this BEFORE I purchased this vehicle????? My 2000 Accord HAD TWO CYLINDERS. My 1997 Accord had two cylinders. My 2000 Civic had two cylinders. My 1997 Chevrolet Lumina had two cylinders. My 1995 Jeep GC had two cylinders. What would make me think that "HONDA" would eliminate the one cylinder on the passenger door of the 2003 Accord? Why would I have looked for that change? The next time I purchase an Accord, should I ask the sales person to put the vehicle on a lift to check the torque of all the suspension bolts? Or maybe I should take the engine apart to check the clearances of the component parts! Everything is always the customer's fault. The manufacturer makes a "stupid" change, and it is the customers fault!

ssteelma

After many trips to the dealer my '04 EX V6 Coupe's rattling headliner was finally fixed with a new headliner, sunglasses holder assembly and felt tape. These replacements were done at the area manager's request and were not standard service for this problem.

Good luck with the permanence of your fix.....

imidazol97

" I feel that all manufacturers should eliminate the keyholes on both front doors so that it will be more difficult for thieves to jimmy the locks."

They would have to eliminate the "interior door handles" also to make the door jimmy tool proof. Removing linkage the goes to the door lock wouldn't be enough. They also might need to eliminate the "exterior door handes" to completely remove the possibility.

Just an electonic connection from the door lock buttons on the inside and from a button for an interior door lock handle and from a button on the exterior door handle is all that's needed. Then there might be a jimmy proof system.

talon95

"Honda didn't send me a "memo" on this subject. They didn't send me a "fax" on this subject . They didn't ask my permission with regards to removing the cylinder."

Time for a major reality check. You know what they say, it isn't ALWAYS all about you. And regardless of how you managed to delude yourself in terms of Honda's responsibility to you in this matter, the topic at hand absolutely isn't all about you. Not even close. Since you are one of nearly 400,000 people who bought an Accord last year in the US, the degree to which this whole situation is about you personally is nearly infinitesimal.

The only thing that's even more infinitesimal is the likelihood of Honda lending even the slightest consideration to performing the actions that you expect of them, as outlined in your quote. So if you get over anything, I strongly suggest that you get over those outlandish expectations.

sockpuppet1969

When I picked up my 2003 Accord at the dealer I noticed that there was no passenger side key cylinder. I shrugged my shoulders and went on with my life. I've had the car over a year now and the issue has never come up.

You really do need to get over it. Get rid of the car if it bothers you that much. Complaining about it on the internet certainly isn't going to make a lock cylinder magically appear on your car.

And Greg, PLEASE explain to me what in the world your quotation marks are supposed to indicate - they make absolutely no sense whatsoever.

Mr_Shiftright

Could I ask everyone to "just move on" with this topic and not let the key get stuck in the lock? All points have been well made as near as I can tell and things are getting personal.

It's really time to switch gears and discuss other concerns.

Thank you!

shifty the Host

nonjth13

Don't own a Honda, but I stumbled scross this discussion and just finished reading about 15 pages worth. As I am sure most of you know, no company makes 100% perfect product. And no company never makes a poor design decision. Should Honda's have a passenger side lock cylinder? Are the Accord brakes peices of junk? Beats me, but keep up the the posts because I may need another good laugh some time. ps the two worst new cars I ever owned were a 68 VW and a 75 Saab EMS. They did have lock cylinders in all the doors though.

gregoryc1

It has nothing to do with a car being perfect. It has a lot to do with some basic little things being included on a vehicle! Once our 2003 Accord is 3 years old, we will probably have 60,000 + miles, and we will probably trade it for a new vehicle. This time I will make it a point, to look the vehicle over VERY carefully. The next vehicle might not be a Honda product. We might go back to General Motors. We like the Chevrolet line of vehicles. Maybe we will get an Impala. On the other side of the issue, we also like the PT Cruiser. The problem is finding a Chrysler dealer with a positive reputation,(both in the sales and service area of the busines), in our area of the country, that we would feel comfortable doing business with, in order to make this purchase. Maybe after we look at other vehicles we will purchase another Accord.

talon95

I do have some new information. In this week's Automotive News, according to leading auto industry analysts, the number of car designs without passenger side lock cylinders is steadily increasing, approaching half of all light vehicles. This design approach is attractive to manufacturers because the cost savings achieved with high volume cars can be substantial. And their position is that increased availability of new technology (like remote keyless entry and passive entry systems) is rendering the lock redundant. The analysts predict that the passenger side lock cylinder will be a thing of the past by the end of this decade.

This is just a news story... and it's their opinion, not mine. So it's not necessary to start the screaming match again.

rcc8179

...let me ask you a couple questions, gregory. (1) Does your car have keyless entry? (2) How many times have you ACTUALLY unlocked the door by physically putting the key into the lock cylinder?

I respect your viewpoint, but I don't agree with it. If I didn't have keyless entry, I WOULD find the passenger lock cylinder important. But since my car has keyless entry, I only need one lock cylinder for if/when the battery in the remote dies.

I am not a fan of cost-cutting either, but every automaker is doing it. It seems that nobody keeps a car very long anymore, so the automakers realize many of the original owners don't really care how well the car holds up over time. Also, since many people buy/lease primarily on price, automakers have to keep costs down to stay competitive.

The thing I would most like Honda to change for the next redesign is to go back to a 1- or 2-piece dashboard cover like ALL previous Accords had, rather than the ~8 pieces there are now. Something clean and simple like the Acura TSX would be much nicer. There would be fewer rattles, no seams, and my dashboard would all be one shade of black. Of course, if there were only 1 or 2 pieces, they would probably have to actually screw it together, rather than use a bunch of cheap plastic clips.

gregoryc1

I just like the convenience of having this item. When we warm up the locked vehicle on a cold winter morning, and we want to enter the vehicle, I want to be able to open the door for my wife without having to walk around the vehicle to use the cylinder on the driver's side, and then walk back to open the door for my wife. YES, I am an old-fashioned guy! I still believe that you open doors for ladies. Our vehicles are backed into our driveway, so as such, the passanger side of the vehicle is near the house. The 2004 Honda Civic is "ok"! ----------The keyless entry does not operate with the engine running! YES, we have the keyless entry.

gregoryc1

With regards to the 2003 Accord, Honda did make some improvements over the 2000 Accord the we had previously leased. The 2003 has less road noise, and the seats are more comfortable. The 4 cylinder engine has more power. On the other side of the issue, I liked the body style of the 2000 Accord. The visibility from the driver's seat was much better when driving. It was easier to back into a parking space because of the body shape of the 2000 vehicle. Our 2003 Accord does not have the interior noises that I read about on these boards. Our 2000 Accord was a leased vehicle, and sometimes I regret that we did not purchase that vehicle at the end of the lease. Our 2003 vehicle is not a lease, so once it is payed off,(after 3 years), we can use it as a trade-in on something that we might like better! The only thing that keeps us in the Honda Family is the service of our dealer. It is simply "OUTSTANDING"! I do not think that I could find an American car dealer that could come close to the quality and efficiency of our Honda Dealer. From the sales process, to the delivery process and on to the service process it is one very efficient operation.

gee35coupe

Fact is, if all you have to worry about is a lock cylinder that may get used 2 or three times in the life of a car, you are doing just fine. Again, if you NEED a lock cylinder...Buy another car. PLEEZE!!!!

badgerfan

You guys need to move on to other more important issues, such as the missing glove box light switch, missing dual visors, missing lighted steering wheel switches, and missing split rear fold down seats! LOL

mburlesn

I am choosing between a Honda Accord EX V6 with Navi and an Acura TL with Navi. The dealer let me take the Honda for the day and while driving around I noticed some things that left a little to be desired from a Honda product.

The car I am driving has the rear-view mirror upgrade and I noticed that the driver side visor makes contact with the mirror when placed in the down position. This happened several times this afternoon and is quite annoying since I have to reset the mirror everytime. Does this only happen with the mirror upgrade or does standard mirror do this???

I also noticed that in order to adjust the AC fan you have to choose the AC button and switch to that screen on the navigation display and select your fan speed instead of having a simple switch on the dashboard. This may not seem like a big deal but when you first get into the car the navigation product can take up to a minute or so to get past all the legal disclaimers which leaves you sitting there with no airflow until it finishes. FYI, I live in Texas and it is already HOT here.

Are there other little issues hiding out there that I am not yet aware of? Please let me add that the missing key cylinder on the passenger side is of no consequence to me but these other items leave me with the feeling that there are some things Honda did not consider while designing. So far, I do not find these kinds of negative perks with the Acura but I am sure it has it's share.

Any thoughts and comments are appreciated.

PS If anyone is interested, I have worked the following deals after much deliberation over the past month or so (both are Automatic Transmission):

2004 Accord EX-V6 with Navi - $26,000 (includes very good money for my trade)

2004 Acura TL with Navi - $33,700 and OK money for my trade

gregoryc1

What is YOUR problem?

gee35coupe

has told the "missing lock cylinder" people to shut up about. Get over it already. It's like the MMO debacle all over again.

snakehair

I don't know where you live, but here in Maryland, it is illegal to warm up a car with noone in it. Even a locked car running with the key in the ignition is an eay target for anyone who wants to break a window and drive off in it. You can only pre-warm a vehicle here if it is on a remote starter that locks out the ability to shift the car. I wouldn't worry about getting in the car, I would worry about having a car to get into.

kevitra

Shouldn't 'YOUR' have been in quotes?? I would think so based on your previous posts.

Time for everyone to stop posting about this minor annoyance. Either get rid of the car or get a keyless entry system (assuming you don't have one).

anonymousposts

It would be much more convenient for me if Honda included a remote door opener for easy entry when I am walking up with my 2 month old. I didn't think to check if it had this feature before I bought my Accord. How dare they not include this feature?!?! I'm NEVER buying another Honda again.

Mr_Shiftright

Are we DONE yet?

I hope so. We really need to move on to other interesting topics and also open the windows and let some fresh air in here.

Any more arguing and I am going to have to go into massive delete mode or *worse*, sorry. I hate to break the continuity of forums but I have asked TWICE for peace.

thanks

Shifty the Host

gregoryc1

QUESTION: -----What does "worse" mean?

isellhondas

Keep beating that tired horse, and you'll be the first to find out!