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Comments
"Reality is that relatively FEW Accords with VCM are on the road, yet there are reported issues everywhere."
No issues here yet, but I will keep you posted.
I have not noticed the VCM shift on the highway at 60 to 70 MPH with cruise set. I have noticed the VCM shift (change) at 45 MPH on a local highway with the cruise set. In local traffic, stop and go, I have not noticed the VCM shift, but know it is occuring due to the ECO light. The light is more a more a bother than some thing I need. The blinking on and off is distracting. I'm sure I will get used to it.
You are in a unique position.
You could actually go to the service department and check the records to see what, if any, complaints have actually come in and let us know. It should also be pretty easy to find out how many 08 V6 auto Accords have been moved through your dealership so far rather than assuming its been thousands so there is really no need for us to "imagine" how many you see. Get the real scoop.
Keep us posted!
Recently, I asked all three what they thought of the VCM. None of them knew much about it -- but two said they like it, one said "what is VCM?" I then told them about this forum and all the complaints that have been lodged against the VCM. That was two weeks ago.
In the past two weeks, all three have taken road trips. Today, I asked, so, "what do you think about VCM now?" The unanimous answer -- "we noticed it - but we like it." None of these owners are "drivers" and none of them are into cars. They just want reliable transportation.
As has been said by most posters making the observation I just made --- I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH VCM. However, if my little study is representative, which it may not be, then Honda's failure to treat this like it is a major design flaw is predictable.
Uh...a Honda V4?? Considering that response, I have to assume everything else you have posted as fiction. Or, if a Honda parts guy thinks they make a V4, all Honda owners are in seroius trouble!!! :P
Uh...noooooooo - flat six, yes.
It doesn't have VCM anyway.
So,m they are aware, its no secret and they have no fix... i guess what i am trying to say again is those that keep saying the issue doesnt exsists are not listening... its does and Honda has admitted it to me.. then they backed off it calling it normal characteristic of the design... mixed messages for sure..
I have nothing to gain by talking about it other than a resolution to my personal issue and hopefully others...those that are posting here saying they work for Honda cmon already......we're pretty educated people.
Were you able to demonstrate the bucking and surging (I think that was another poster's description, feel free to correct me if that does not describe your issue) to a service person at your dealership? And then they told you that was normal?
Have you tried any other dealerships? Have you been able to get a Honda representative (not a dealership representative) to observe the problem?
Again, I'm sorry, I'm sure you've already explained these things and I'm not asking because I don't believe you, I'm asking in an effort to help clarify your situation all in one place.
Also, someone had mentioned that the headlights flicker when turning on the AC? I didn't notice any flickering with AC turning on/off.
Never once said you weren't educated. Is this not what these forums are for? If you don't want my 2 cents then Iet me know. I work there and can probably help out in the long run. As of now, no issues here yet. Im still asking questions and trying to see what Honda is doing about it. If you don't need my help and opinions let me know and I will keep them to myself or email the people who do want it.
Please skip the posts you don't care to read, but remember that someone out there might just want to read that post. This goes for everyone.
now all of a sudden its normal and its a normal characteristic of the vehicle..
we are beside ourselves.
Let me be sure I have this straight. These two service managers, one regional Honda rep, two dealer tenured mechanics have all experienced the surging, lurching and vibration, acknowledged those symptoms to the degree you experience them, and then declared them to be normal? It can only be normal if it happens in every single other VCM-equipped Accord and from what we are seeing here, that does not seem to be the case.
Again, not disbelieving you and your experiences at all. But there seems to be a difference in how the VCM Accords are behaving from what we are reading here and, unfortunately, you may just have to keep hunting for a car that behaves correctly and then demonstrate that your car's behavior is sub-par to the one that you find.
I'm sorry. Tough position to be in, no doubt about it. Keep us posted.
Can you share more information about the transmission software update?
I should have phrased it this way - the business model of the Japanese manufacturers when faced with issues and their cars is to stonewall - in my opinion.
It is not an ethnic slur - these manufacturers are headquartered in Japan - so what are they? Japanese manufacturers.
Sure would be interesting to get discovery in a lemon law suit about complaints made to Honda about these issues.
PS -- you are absolutely right about the stonewalling. I understand it is the approach many companies like to take because they think it is cost-effective, but it is penny-wise and pound-foolish. Honda will ultimately come out with a fix for these issues, but in the meantime will have lost previously loyal customers and their referral business.
If Honda (or their dealership service departments) continue to claim this is "normal" operation for the VCM system, it totally goes against their claims in advertising literature.
At this point, I would gladly accept a 4 cylinder EX-L with a refund of the price difference between it and the 6 cylinder model. If Honda would be agreeable to that, I would still consider purchasing cars from them in the future. With the exception of VCM, the Accord is a fantastic vehicle.
Me too. And I would add in the depreciation on the vehicle at the IRS reimbursement rates. But I fear that it will take a class action before Honda owns up to the issues that have been discussed on this forum.
Having taken a 2000 mile road trip (Birmingham, AL to Oklahoma City, OK) in my 166hp Accord I can tell ya that it is plenty quick for safe passing and high-speed economy. There were three of us (2 200lb guys and a ~130 lb girl), and our luggage for a week (the trunk was full). We averaged 35 MPG, and ran 75-80 MPH the whole way. Never had a shortage of power for passing or merging.
My weight for the car would've been between about 3900 lbs (~3200 + 520 + luggage + fuel).
Basically, I beg to differ.
This belongs in the I4 vs V6 forum doesn't it?
And I agree - at higher highway speeds Honda 4s perform fine. But a quick pass on a 2 lane hghway? Acccelerate onto an interstate from 30-70 with 166 HP and , as you say, 3900 lbs? Sorry - not enought grunt for me - I would find that scary. But I am used to more than adequate power from V8s and V6s. So, I guess we have to agree to disagree - our comfort levels are very different.
I have seen 0-60 in 8.2 for the 190 HP sedan with 5 speed. 166 Hp with 3900 pounds? 0-60 in ? 12-13 seconds? Out of my comfort zone.
I guess I was the first person at my dealership to trade in my new car within 2 months.
I must say that my salesman was nice and professional. He spent almost 3 hours with us. He just went for lunch when my wife and I went there and the manager/owner called him and he came right back. He had us tried out an I4 08 Accord EX (190 HP), a 08 CR-V, and the Pilot. I liked the Pilot the most and I pulled the trigger on it. Everything on the Pilot is great (I feel like I am working for the Secret Service now) except the cruise/volume controls on the steering wheel. They do not light up at night... Oh well...
The Pilot was considered new because the manager/owner's wife took it and drove it for a period of 6 months and put 6000 miles on it (I guess it is an advantage if your spouse is the owner of the dealership). I did not think it was a big deal because the vehicle was in good shape. I just considered it as someone broke in the vehicle for us. He took $3k off the Pilot from the MSRP so I ended up paying $31k. So I ended up losing $4k and paying almost another $7k... (at least I can use the Pilot to fit a soccer team inside)
Someone reading this probably thinks that I am nuts losing $4k on the vehicle. I look at this as a lesson I learned (an $$$ one). I know that a car depreciates once you sign the paper and the car gets out of the parking lot. I believe my car dealership has done a fair job (may not be excellent). They worked with me on the issue and tried to give me options. My salesman even told me to hold on to both cars for a while but I made the decision (no one is going to say no if I am going to give them business). Personally, I wasn't going to spend my time with Honda on something that may never be resolved.
I probably will trade my wife's red one in for a 08 CR-V, or a 08 Accord I4 EX-L. I will have to pay $1500 for the I4 and I am not sure about the CR-V...
I am just trying to be positive on this situation and to not loss all my hair over it.
Can you tell the difference if a car is running 3 cylinders vs 6 cylinders (or a Cheetah running with 4 legs vs 2 legs)? Of course you can! That is the bottom line that I made the switch.