My Honda Insight
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Before you buy that Honday you've been thinking about, please read my story.
HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICES This story begins in April 2001 and the saga begins September 18, 2002. But, to the story first. I purchased a 2000 Honda Insight in a town 35 miles from where I live. That may not seem important at first, however the significance will show up later. I started out loving the car because I drive 85 miles (one way) to work (not through the town that is 35 miles from where I live, although I could, it just makes the drive to work much harder). Anyway, we get along fine until July 3, 2001. And so the saga begins. My car is in the shop because the check engine light is on during the following days: July 3, 2001, August 30, 2001, October 22, 2001, November 5, 2001, April 26, 2002, May 16, 2002, June 27, 2002, July 18, 2002, August 1, 2002, August 19, 2002, September 13, 2002. Are you beginning to understand the significance of the 70 mile round-trip drive (over an hour on the road, not to mention waiting for repairs)? During these visits, some �unit� is replaced twice, each time with the �hope� that the problem is fixed. However, on with the saga. The service manager at the Honda dealership where I purchased the car, advised me to call the Honda customer service number that I would find in my Insight handbook. Wednesday, September 18, 2002, I called American Honda and I was told that Harumbe Ferrell, extension 118057, was to be my case manager (lie #1). I left a message on his voice mail. His voice mails said that he would call back on messages within 48 hours (lie #2). Tuesday, September 24, 2002, I contact my service manager who said that no one had talked to him yet. Wednesday, September 25, 2002, I once again call Harumbe. He told me he was not the case manager, that "Bridget" was and had checked the claim history (presumably lie #3). He would not give me Bridget�s extension number. However, he did give me a case number (N012002-09-18-01340). He then transferred me to Bridget�s number. I then left a message on Bridget�s (Pearson) voice mail, which once again promised a call back. (lie #4) Friday, September 27, 2002, my Honda technician states he has not heard from American Honda. Friday, September 27, 2002, I talk to Mark at American Honda. He gave me Bridget�s extension number, 118002. Friday, September 27, 2002, I left a second message on Bridget�s voice mail, which once again promised a call back (lie #5). Tuesday, October 1, 2002, the third time I reach Bridget�s voice mail, I am told that Bridget is on vacation September 30 through October 7 and that she would not be checking her messages. Tuesday, October 1, 2002, I talk to Marica who is giving my printout to a supervisor who is to call me back by 3:30 p.m. (my time), or early the next morning (lie #6). Wednesday evening, October 2, 2002, Mike Montgomery from American Honda called. He said a new part that would fix my problem would be at my Honda dealership on Friday (lie #7). I told him that it had better fix the problem. Thursday, October 3, 2002, I talked to my service manager who told me that the Honda district rep had told him the part was being shipped and would be at the dealership on Friday. I told him that was great, that I would be there Saturday morning. Saturday, October 4, 2002, I drove the 35 miles to the dealership only to find out that, guess what, the part wasn�t there! But hey, drove all the way back on Saturday, Nov 2, 2002 and got new part installed! If you are thinking about purchasing a Honda or have had similar problems with your Honda, please e-mail me at hondalies@yahoo.com
