Autopark Honda

This letter is to inform the appropriate person about service we recently received from AutoPark Honda in Cary, NC, Service Technician, Nick, and Service Manager, Todd Stephens. We each own Honda Civics: 2006 & 2010 models.

We have always driven Hondas, as well as several members of our families. Hondas purchased include 1986 Honda CRX, 1995 Honda Accord, 1996 Honda Accord, 1997 Honda Accord, 1999 Honda Accord, 1992 Honda Civic Hatchback, 1999 Honda Civic Hatchback, 2001 Honda Civic, 2002 Honda Civic, 2003 Honda Civic, 2006 Honda Civic, 2004 Honda CR-V, 2008 Honda CR-V, 2-mid 2000s Honda Odyssey Minivans, 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2010 Honda Civic, 1998 Acura Integra, 1999 Acura Legend, and others for which I cannot recall specifics (I have a large immediate family). The 2010 Honda Civic EX, which my wife drives, is the car which this letter regards.

We responded to a letter from Honda regarding a factory-recall on the passenger side airbag inflator. The service appointment was scheduled and completed on Saturday, March 10, 2018.

The oil was changed, tires rotated/balanced and a multi-point inspection was performed upon recommendation of the sales person. New spark plugs, air filter, and all around fluids were recommended after inspection. We decided to wait on these items. The car was driven home and parked until the following Monday, March 12th, when my wife drove the car to work, 2 miles from home.

During the short drive, the car lost power while crossing a 4-lane road and an accident was narrowly avoided. Needless to say, she was frightened, confused and frustrated. Since purchasing the car new, we have not had a single issue. Not one issue in 112,000 miles.

I called AutoPark Honda to let them know what happened and requested they have the car towed back for diagnostic, which they did. The service technician called Monday evening to let us know that the car was received and the issue would be diagnosed. This morning, we received a call from the service tech stating that something had “melted into the Mass Airflow Sensor” which is causing the car to shut down. This was to cost over $250.00, which would be cost for part, no labor charged.

The technician stated that this was merely a coincidence. During my call to the Service Manager, Todd, he stated that same and said it is to be expected around this mileage. I/we cannot accept this response. I should be clear that I am not a mechanic.

However, I have changed air filters in the past on my Hondas and know to be careful to remove debris when checking and replacing air filters. Of course, I treat my own vehicles with care because I depend on them. I added above that the air filters were checked by a technician during the service visit. The service team at AutoPark Honda would not accept responsibility for this issue and Todd let me know that he would “understand if I want the work done somewhere else.” After leaving 2 messages for Todd and finally driving to the AutoPark this afternoon at 4:54pm, Todd again stated that they would not provide this part and would not handle the work free of charge.

They would not charge labor, but cost for the part would still be over $250.

Todd offered that it may have been a “field mouse” that “crawled up in there.” I explained that we and our families are life-long Honda owners of many models and that we have never had this type of issue after a service. This is something one might expect from a less-reputable ‘Shop’ but not from a Honda dealership!