Help! My Honda Pilot Has An Oil Leak.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: L.I. NY
Help! My Honda Pilot Has An Oil Leak.
I took delivery of a new Honda Pilot in Jan. 2003 and my dealer's
service dept has not been able to stop it from leaking oil. They sealed bolts, replaced the oil pump, replaced the front crankshaft
seal and it continues to leak oil. Has anyone else had this problem ? I have been in touch with Honda customer service
and they have not been able to help. Meanwhile it's snowing
like crazy here and I'm driving around in old Accord with high mileage and still paying for a new Pilot. Needless to say I'm not a very happy camper.
:madfawk:
UPDATE
Good News! I got the Pilot back and the leak appears to be fixed.
They replaced the water pump and sealed some more bolts which
seems to have worked. Thanks to all for your help and support.
service dept has not been able to stop it from leaking oil. They sealed bolts, replaced the oil pump, replaced the front crankshaft
seal and it continues to leak oil. Has anyone else had this problem ? I have been in touch with Honda customer service
and they have not been able to help. Meanwhile it's snowing
like crazy here and I'm driving around in old Accord with high mileage and still paying for a new Pilot. Needless to say I'm not a very happy camper.
:madfawk:
UPDATE
Good News! I got the Pilot back and the leak appears to be fixed.
They replaced the water pump and sealed some more bolts which
seems to have worked. Thanks to all for your help and support.
. I would demand a completely new motor 
h:.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: upstate NY
LEMONPILOT,
It's pretty rare for a new Honda to leak oil...small consolation I know. It doesn't sound like the stealership was able to ascertain where the leak is coming from. You might want to get a can of brake and part cleaner and get underneath the thing yourself. Clean up everything you can and then drive for a short distance. Hopefully, you'll be able to pinpoint the location of the leak and give the parts-swappers at Honda something to go on.
Bogatyr
It's pretty rare for a new Honda to leak oil...small consolation I know. It doesn't sound like the stealership was able to ascertain where the leak is coming from. You might want to get a can of brake and part cleaner and get underneath the thing yourself. Clean up everything you can and then drive for a short distance. Hopefully, you'll be able to pinpoint the location of the leak and give the parts-swappers at Honda something to go on.
Bogatyr
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: L.I. NY
No updates as of Monday 3/10/03 and I'm extremely disappointed with Honda's customer service. I also think
the dealer has completely given up on trying to repair
my Pilot. On Friday the service manager told me that the
mechanic who was working on the car slammed his hand in
the door and would be out of work for a while so he would
have to put someone new on it. That was very reassuring
of him to tell me that don't you think ? At this point I have
no choice but to use the Lemon Law but that's going to take
time and wil leave me without a vehicle.
the dealer has completely given up on trying to repair
my Pilot. On Friday the service manager told me that the
mechanic who was working on the car slammed his hand in
the door and would be out of work for a while so he would
have to put someone new on it. That was very reassuring
of him to tell me that don't you think ? At this point I have
no choice but to use the Lemon Law but that's going to take
time and wil leave me without a vehicle.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: upstate NY
LEMONPILOT,
Sheesh, what a bunch of losers.
Can you use the NY lemon law in this case?
This link, mentions:
The manufacturer does not have a duty to make a refund or provide a replacement car if: (1) the problem does not substantially impair the value of the car to the consumer
I'm pretty sure this is the tack the stealership would take if you get to this point...not that I agree with them, but, just playing devil's advocate.
Have you been able to ascertain the source of the leak?
Bogaytr
Sheesh, what a bunch of losers.
Can you use the NY lemon law in this case?
This link, mentions:
The manufacturer does not have a duty to make a refund or provide a replacement car if: (1) the problem does not substantially impair the value of the car to the consumer
I'm pretty sure this is the tack the stealership would take if you get to this point...not that I agree with them, but, just playing devil's advocate.
Have you been able to ascertain the source of the leak?
Bogaytr
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: L.I. NY
Yes, I thought the same thing but then who would buy a new vehicle (approx 800 miles on it) with an oil leak and if it's not saleable that certainly diminishes it's value. If it were a used car
with high mileage it would be a different story. As to where the
leak is comming from, the dealer tells me it's still comming out
of the front crankshaft seal which has been replaced once. The car has been in the shop for the last 12 days so I have not seen
this for myself.
with high mileage it would be a different story. As to where the
leak is comming from, the dealer tells me it's still comming out
of the front crankshaft seal which has been replaced once. The car has been in the shop for the last 12 days so I have not seen
this for myself.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: upstate NY
LEMONPILOT,
Ah, ok, so if they say it's coming from the crank seal...you've got them...
It looks like under the lemon law, they have four attempts to replace that seal...yeesh.
DOES THE LAW SPECIFY THE NUMBER OF REQUIRED REPAIR ATTEMPTS?
It is presumed that there have been a reasonable number of attempts to repair a problem if, during the first 18,000 miles of operation or two years from the original delivery date, whichever comes first, either: (1) the same problem has been subject to repair four or more times and the problem continues to exist; or (2) the car is out of service by reason of repair of one or more problems for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days and the problem continues to exist.
Heh, you prolly also have them on the 30 day thing.
It sure stinks that you belly up over 30 grand on a car and can't use it.
Go get them!
Bogatyr
Ah, ok, so if they say it's coming from the crank seal...you've got them...
It looks like under the lemon law, they have four attempts to replace that seal...yeesh.
DOES THE LAW SPECIFY THE NUMBER OF REQUIRED REPAIR ATTEMPTS?
It is presumed that there have been a reasonable number of attempts to repair a problem if, during the first 18,000 miles of operation or two years from the original delivery date, whichever comes first, either: (1) the same problem has been subject to repair four or more times and the problem continues to exist; or (2) the car is out of service by reason of repair of one or more problems for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days and the problem continues to exist.
Heh, you prolly also have them on the 30 day thing.
It sure stinks that you belly up over 30 grand on a car and can't use it.
Go get them!
Bogatyr
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: L.I. NY
You got it ! They're on the 4th attempt now and so far it's been
out of service for 16 days. Meanwhile I have the papers filled out and ready to file but that's only half my problem. I waited 3 months for the Pilot and whatever I decide to replace it with
(I.E. Highlander) will probably take just as long so I will need
to rent a car or buy a clunker to use while I'm waiting for the replacement. What really pisses me off is that Honda customer
service has been of no help. They don't even return my calls.
At least the dealer has loaned me a car (even though it is a clunker).
I do however appreciate you comments/concerns.
out of service for 16 days. Meanwhile I have the papers filled out and ready to file but that's only half my problem. I waited 3 months for the Pilot and whatever I decide to replace it with
(I.E. Highlander) will probably take just as long so I will need
to rent a car or buy a clunker to use while I'm waiting for the replacement. What really pisses me off is that Honda customer
service has been of no help. They don't even return my calls.
At least the dealer has loaned me a car (even though it is a clunker).
I do however appreciate you comments/concerns.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: upstate NY
LEMONPILOT,
Ya know, something does not seem right with Honda in general as of late. A good friend and I have been Honda fans/owners since the late 1980s...remember Nigel Mansell racing for Williams?
Anyway, he's in the market for a new car as his 1995 Civic is getting old, and he wants something more performance oriented. Well, there are just a few cars in his sub 20k$ price range and now he's leaning towards either the Mazdaspeed Protege or the Nissan Sentra SpecV. Even with the prices so low on the new Civic Si, he's not considering it because of a number of things including how slow it is and the fact that it's a MacPherson strut puppy. They seem to be out of touch with their target audience. Your customer support problems only compound that fact.
Me, I'm always dubious about buying a new car. Most of the vehicles I buy come home in pieces and boxes. Heh, I wouldn't mind getting a new Insight if I had a 20k$ windfall, but I don't see that happening any time in the near future. Besides, by beater Civic still gets over 40mpg...so why mess with it since the purchase price of 2400$ was paid for years ago.
I guess all you can do is go up the ladder of command until you get a response. Make sure you take names of everyone you talk to...yeah, customer "service". Thank you very much. Good luck in your fight and don't be afraid of getting Elliot Spitzer involved.
Bogatyr
Ya know, something does not seem right with Honda in general as of late. A good friend and I have been Honda fans/owners since the late 1980s...remember Nigel Mansell racing for Williams?
Anyway, he's in the market for a new car as his 1995 Civic is getting old, and he wants something more performance oriented. Well, there are just a few cars in his sub 20k$ price range and now he's leaning towards either the Mazdaspeed Protege or the Nissan Sentra SpecV. Even with the prices so low on the new Civic Si, he's not considering it because of a number of things including how slow it is and the fact that it's a MacPherson strut puppy. They seem to be out of touch with their target audience. Your customer support problems only compound that fact.
Me, I'm always dubious about buying a new car. Most of the vehicles I buy come home in pieces and boxes. Heh, I wouldn't mind getting a new Insight if I had a 20k$ windfall, but I don't see that happening any time in the near future. Besides, by beater Civic still gets over 40mpg...so why mess with it since the purchase price of 2400$ was paid for years ago.
I guess all you can do is go up the ladder of command until you get a response. Make sure you take names of everyone you talk to...yeah, customer "service". Thank you very much. Good luck in your fight and don't be afraid of getting Elliot Spitzer involved.
Bogatyr
