A CRONOLOGY OF EVENTS
Looking back at this PCD problem, I have a record that I first reported this issue to the Honda dealership on 2 March 2009 during the 1 Month first service. The dealership (presumably after checking with Honda Australia) informed me that I was the first person to notice this problem and it was not an issue. I continued to complain to the dealership and in August 2009 the dealership contacted me and told me that a fix had been released (Ping Fix 1) but it didn't work very well and a second fix was on it's way.
Problem description: Mild pinging at Hwy speeds @2200rpm. Average fuel consumption during this period was 6.5Ltr/100km Hwy and 7.5 Ltr/100kms City.
The dealership then contacted me a couple of weeks later and told me that a second fix (Ping Fix 2) now worked and I was subsequently booked in for my 6 month service which would be carried out together with Ping Fix 2 which included the replacement of the Knock Sensor and SW download. This work took them all of 2hour and 30 minutes to complete. For this they charged me $294.30
Driving the car out of the dealership at the first hill, the car pinged it's head off and it took over two tanks of 98RON fuel to settle it down. You may recall that I was attempting to train the EMC as it was said that it required "learning". The problem still continues in a milder form.
Problem description: Mild pinging under load @3400rpm. Average fuel consumption during this period was 8.2 Ltr/100km Hwy and 9.5 Ltr/100kms City.
I called up the dealership and complained within the first 2 days of having Ping Fix 2 applied and was told to come back after 3 tanks of 98RON petrol.
The car was booked in on 13 January 2010 and I left specific instructions with the dealership that I wanted the EMC reprogrammed. I returned 4.5 hours later to find out that the problem was reproduced and a snapshot taken which was sent to Honda Australia. I was also told that Honda Australia had told them that this was not a problem and the dealership advised me that this was "a characteristic of the car". The EMC was NOT reprogrammed as instructed.
Reason: HDS kept looping back to start and would not permit reprogramming.
Subsequent letters to Honda Australia have resulted in them stating that this "vehicle is operating to specification".
Now if you look at the above chronology of events it is obvious that Honda Australia have first denied that there is a problem, subsequently issuing two fixes, then denying that the problem ever existed. HELLO, WAKE UP!!!! We don't all live in La La Land....
Look, this problem is NOT specific to Australia. It is reported in USA where the Euro is sold under the Acura TSX badge, South Africa, Singapore and UK (to my knowledge).
Reading though the posts on this forum, it is noted that not all cars were effected and subsequently, most cars were rectified after Ping Fix 2. However, there are still some cars that and not fixed and Honda must fix these cars. They can't be allowed to shrug the responsibility of warranty by denying that the problem does not exist.
A problem they have acknowledged by issuing two fixes. They simply can't walk away from this problem after acknowledging that this is an issue.
Toyota are under the scrutiny of the NHTSA in USA with sticking accelerator pedals and alleged electronic malfunctions. Nissan also is recalling certain 2005 to 2009 Armadas and Titans and some 2006 and 2008 Frontier pickups and Xterra and Pathfinder SUVs due to faulty gas gauges. Source MSNBC
It's time Honda got it's act together and fixed this problem.
If your vehicle is still effected by this problem them write a letter of complaint detailing the problem and asking for a resolution. you can post it on the Honda Australia web Site.
http://contact.honda.com.au/
or By Mail
Honda Australia Pty Ltd
Locked Bag 95, Tullamarine VIC 3043
These complaints are catalogued and statistics collected. If you don't complain you won't get anything. It is that simple.
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