2003 EX Braking Issue

[jdb566]

I have been working with the dealer and Honda of America on an issue where the 2003 Accord has an issue when cold. If you live and/or drive above 6000ft, the brakes will not have any assist in reverse until the car reaches operating temps. There is a TSB on this but my VIN is not covered by that, even though it experiences the problem. :dunno:

As my driveway is a steep grade you can see where the issue comes in, particularly in winter with ice and snow. The dealer and Honda of America say that this is design element of the car and not a safety issue, even though the brakes don't work and gave me basically 3 choices get rid of the car, live with it or pursue legal action against them. None of the are particularly attractive options. So I was hoping that some one here would have suggestions as how to either get a better response from Honda or to circumvent this issue. This is my family's 8th Honda and this dealing has left a pretty bad taste. (I really don't want a Ford :D )

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks all in advance.

Jeff

[mwmcginn]

What does the TSB say about it?

[jdb566]

TSB Bulletin #:04012

Description: BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD TO PRESS AT START-UP. *TT (I do not have the entire bulletin as the dealer would not give me a copy

The repair was a replacement vacuum hose that help to prevent some of the diversion to the catalytic converter for speeding the warm up process of the vehicle. Both HofA and the dealer have received complaints of this in this model year from people whose same year vehicles have the same issue. Their technical fix was to tell me to treat it like an oven and let it warm up for five minutes every time it cooled off. Dealer told me it was a software issue that could be corrected but won't be.

[Succinct]

Frickin' greenies: it's more important to warm up the catcon than to have brakes. Niiiiice. :thumbsdow

[James.uk]

If this is only a problem when reversing, why dont you back up onto your drive?.. It's not a solution, but it will be a safer option untill such time as the problem is resolved.. :)
.

[BenjiBoy650]

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=818&highlight=04-012

It's only a hose...just buy one and put it on...can't be that hard take ya all of 10 minutes. The TSB says nothing about warming it up - it says that the brakes are hard to press the first time they are used after an extended cooling period. It also has no mention of the 6000ft altitude. So I don't think it's the same problem, especially if it occurs only in reverse.

[jdb566]

Thanks for the replies guys. The TSB was what they referred me to. The other info was provided by the dealer's service department and by Honda of America's Technical service department. Upon further follow up with them they said the reason that they won't do anything is that it is due to the software directing the vacuum assist and the hose which is why the TSB did not extend to further VINs as they found it does not correct the issue. It is not just a question of it being hard to push the brakes. The brakes do not fully engage, I am a 225lb man and had to stand on them to even get them to stop the car from 2-5 mph in reverse in a distance of 10-15ft.

I understand that this is a mechanical item and all mechanical items have issues with them at some point or another. My issue was with the manner in which HofA dealt with me and this problem. On 2 occasions they flat out lied to me about the existence of this problem, them when I politely reminded them about what the dealer showed me, and other complaints received the remarkably remembered, and the fact that I was told if I wanted any resolution on this, I would either have to mod the software myself or try to take them to court, which if you ask me is pretty lousy customer service. I really didn't expect anything free, just some kind of resolution the benefited both parties.

This is my wife's car, not mine. I can live with a lot more issues in a vehicle than she can. I still drive my 99 Accord Coupe with 139000 on it and love every minute I am it.

She however as of Saturday, now drives a Prius and I after being a faithful Honda driver and purchaser since 1984 can no longer do it.

Cheers all and enjoy the miles!! :thmsup: :thmsup: