WWYD- Honda Odyssey with unfixable problem

[Anonymous]

We have a 2018 Honda Odyssey with electrical issues that the dealership says are a known problem, but cannot fix them. Essentially the whole electrical system will shut down and then only partially come back. When this happens the radio/dvd/cd player stops working and the whole middle panel stops working. You can’t see anything. This happens about once or twice a week.

The dealership said to complain to Honda, which we did. But wondering if we should just cut ties with this car and get a new car? WWYD? We still owe about $13k on the car.

[Anonymous]

is it still under warranty?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:is it still under warranty?

Yes, but according to Honda there is no fix. This is more or less a convenience issue, not a safety issue. But this was a $50k car and shouldn’t have this issue at 3 years old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:is it still under warranty?

Yes, but according to Honda there is no fix. This is more or less a convenience issue, not a safety issue. But this was a $50k car and shouldn’t have this issue at 3 years old.

Ugh. That's absolutely terrible. I had a similar electrical problem with a Toyota Sienna, but didn't realized it for years because the electrical problems would manifest themselves in different ways. Is the only issue the radio and middle panel not working intermittently? That's a tough call. If you can unload it without taking too much of a financial hit, I would probably do that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:is it still under warranty?

Yes, but according to Honda there is no fix. This is more or less a convenience issue, not a safety issue. But this was a $50k car and shouldn’t have this issue at 3 years old.

Honda should buy back the car for what you paid for it minus three years of reasonable depreciation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:is it still under warranty?

Yes, but according to Honda there is no fix. This is more or less a convenience issue, not a safety issue. But this was a $50k car and shouldn’t have this issue at 3 years old.

I love Honda, and that's all we've bought, but that's utter bullshit. The convenience/safety disparity comes into play when it's a question of recall. It's not relevant here when a car is under warranty and it's having obvious and undeniable problems (unlike some vague noise or something).

if there is really "no fix," then the fix is they give you a new car.

I'd write letters to them. This happened to me on my old Acura TSX years ago. The same thing, whole center console of electronics. It was fixed (replaced) once just barely inside warranty, and then it happened again a few years later. I wrote to them, explaining all that, and they agreed to replace it again without charge.

Often the dealerships are not the best at resolving these things. You've got to have a case with corporate.

[Anonymous]

Honda Odyssey sucks now. Lucky for you that you can probably sell it to caravans or Carmax for a lot. Use that to buy something new, not a honda.

[Anonymous]

You can probably get $30k for it. Use your equity and get something reliable. You don’t want to drive your kids around in that. It’s not safe.

[Anonymous]

I would contact a lemon law lawyer to get their take on this.

IMO, this is absolutely a safety issue. By Federal Law, all new vehicles after a certain date are required to be equipped with a backup camera. The law began taking effect in 2014, phase-in started 2016 and was completed in 2018.

If the center stack screens turn blank, the backup camera function no longer works. If this occurs in the middle of a backup operation, an accident may occur.

[Anonymous]

Honda's reliability is not what it once was, whereas other brands have come up in the ranks. Kia is much improved and has a stellar warranty. Actually, Audi is now considered very reliable, but of course still expensive to maintain.

[Anonymous]

Its going to be a safety issue when you are driving down the road and a key electric safety system such as anti-lock brakes, air bag sensors, or traction control fails.

I would not let this rest. Complain to anyone/everyone and complain often. Document every complaint and the response your receive. I am sure that if you read on owners forums, you can get the contact information for Honda USA and the Honda parent company.

I used to only drive Hondas, but I did not buy one with my last car purchase because their vehicles currently have some of the highest rates of initial defects, usually having to do with electronic issues.

[Anonymous]

Safety issue or not, the warranty covers electronics. The problem is you’re out of small claims territory. If there is an arbitration provision in your warranty, start going through the process- usually you have to notify them and give them a chance to fix it. As far as being unrepeatable, they’re lying. Anything can be fixed, some fixes are just very expensive.

[Anonymous]

i had similar issues with my odyssey many years ago. dealer mechanic ended up talking to some master tech at honda and was able to fix it. dealer guys couldn't figure out what was wrong with the car or how to fix it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Safety issue or not, the warranty covers electronics. The problem is you’re out of small claims territory. If there is an arbitration provision in your warranty, start going through the process- usually you have to notify them and give them a chance to fix it. As far as being unrepeatable, they’re lying. Anything can be fixed, some fixes are just very expensive.

Unfortunately, the only way to get satisfaction in a situation like this is to be a total ass-hat. They have your money and are probably sure at this point they will never be able to sell you another car. That's why they just want you to go away.

I am not above blasting the salesman and service department head and dealership by name in as many social media platforms as possible. Document everything and be sure that everything you say is true.

[Anonymous]

It does seem like a safety issue, OP! Contact a lawyer who will draft a letter to send to corporate, and request an exchange.