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3 Posts
I hear so many happy stories of elements, but I'm at the point that I am considering filing a Lemon Law claim in California. My experience with my prelude and accord was great. But I've had nothing but trouble with this car. I like the roominess of it, but really-- the car has had to have 6 tires, 2 sets of front brakes and one set of back brakes in less than 27000 miles. It's a 2006 model Honda Element EX. I drive it about 7 miles a day. Now I am on the road with it, and it needs 727 dollars worth of work to repair an ignition switch/key issue. The first and only long trip I drove this car on--and now this key issue happens while I'm on the road. I know some people have great experiences with their Element, I'm afraid this particular Element is completely unreliable for long distance travel.
Moreover, the car gets between 12 and 14 miles per gallon. I don't drive it any differently than I drove my other cars, which got close to what they were supposed to get. I'm considered a smooth driver by people who have driven with me. When I approached my home dealer about this problems (prior to the ignition switch problem), I was told they were all wear and tear. They refused to do a fuel efficiency test on it and referred me to Honda Customer Relations.
The wear and tear excuse seems ridiculous. I hardly drive the automobile (about 6 miles a day), and I drove my prelude and accord along the same routes. They were great and never had all these issues. I took the car to an independent service center, and they told me the bad master cylinder could have easily caused the first front brake job/tire replacement. They said the dealership was not being truthful with me. I've heard this from two tire dealerships and my independent service station.
I set up a case with honda customer relations to discuss the mileage and other issues but their case manager never called me back. My phone records show no calls from them. Now I'm on case #2-- the ignition switch problems. It is my understanding that I could go to the California Attorney General's office to file a lemon law claim and complain about the runaround I got at the dealership, but I was hoping Honda would resolve this with me privately.
Any ideas for how to go up the chain at honda about all these issues? I'm sure there must be a national corporate person I could go to but I don't know where to turn. I had such great luck with my prelude and my accord ex. I'm really bummed about the way the dealership who sold me the car has treated me.
Sorry to be complaining. I'm just really frustrated right now.
Moreover, the car gets between 12 and 14 miles per gallon. I don't drive it any differently than I drove my other cars, which got close to what they were supposed to get. I'm considered a smooth driver by people who have driven with me. When I approached my home dealer about this problems (prior to the ignition switch problem), I was told they were all wear and tear. They refused to do a fuel efficiency test on it and referred me to Honda Customer Relations.
The wear and tear excuse seems ridiculous. I hardly drive the automobile (about 6 miles a day), and I drove my prelude and accord along the same routes. They were great and never had all these issues. I took the car to an independent service center, and they told me the bad master cylinder could have easily caused the first front brake job/tire replacement. They said the dealership was not being truthful with me. I've heard this from two tire dealerships and my independent service station.
I set up a case with honda customer relations to discuss the mileage and other issues but their case manager never called me back. My phone records show no calls from them. Now I'm on case #2-- the ignition switch problems. It is my understanding that I could go to the California Attorney General's office to file a lemon law claim and complain about the runaround I got at the dealership, but I was hoping Honda would resolve this with me privately.
Any ideas for how to go up the chain at honda about all these issues? I'm sure there must be a national corporate person I could go to but I don't know where to turn. I had such great luck with my prelude and my accord ex. I'm really bummed about the way the dealership who sold me the car has treated me.
Sorry to be complaining. I'm just really frustrated right now.