Thanks a bunch for this great information and service to our hybrid community!

Aneil Mishra

 

I don't know if warranty was discussed, but I took my used 2006 HCHII (50k miles) to the dealer and mentioned the control arm TSB and tire wear, they said they are aware of the problem but since I'm past the 36k warranty and they want $400 to change the control arms.

Do I have any other options?

 

You don't have to get it done. I believe the initial setting was for performance. People have started complaining about the ride and tire wear, so they issued the silent bulletin.

Do you not like the ride? I'd say if you have issues with it, push the issue. Honda is well known for courtesy fixes out of warranty.

Otherwise, no big deal.

Good luck, nf

 

Since this TSB has been around for so long, Honda will do goodwill replacements, but you have to be a squeaky wheel about it. You will probably have to escalate it to Honda to get it replaced as a goodwill out of warranty repair.

Even at that, the control arm is an inexpensive part and is only got 2 bolts to remove and replace it. When my dealer replaced the arms on my car, they had it in and out in under 2 hours.

 

Just TODAY got mine done.
At first, I didn't feel too confident in the probability of the dealership doing it without a big fight. They insisted that the diagnostic process included mainly the inspection of the tires for irregular wear. While I agreed this was the SIMPLEST method of making a positive diagnosis, that it in no way should be used as a negative diagnosis. What if I had just purchased NEW tires? There would be no evidence of Control Arm issues on NEW tires.
Either the parts are the new, correctly shaped ones (with the "C" on them), or they're not. Also, taking the current alignment numbers would likely show the issue.

In fact, with this fear of hassle already well ingrained in my mind, I was waiting until the end of my factory warranty to get this done - to ensure that the tires had worn (cupped inside) enough that anyone "should" be able to make the right diagnosis . That could've been a big mistake, as I was busy handling other issues around that time - and cruised right on by 36K miles!
I DO have my HondaCare Extended warranty, but these are notorious for not including certain items that you'd think should be included.

My service advisor told me (yesterday) that I should wait at the shop for a diagnosis, and that they then could order the parts, as they apparantly were out of stock. No mention of whether this would or would not be covered under the HondaCare or general goodwill or out of my pocket. I let it go, figuring I'll fight that battle once the diagnosis is made.

So, in I go this morning, at 7:30. First, they couldn't find the service appointment, but after briefly re-telling my issue, a different service advisor wrote it up. This advisor seemed stunned that I was planning on waiting, stating that I needed to leave it overnight. "For this upper control arm diagnosis" I asked. "I find that hard to believe that it could take so long. Just look at the rear tire-wear, or drive it at speed to hear the droning. Heck, just look at how squat it sits." She then said "well it's take a couple of hours, at least." So I said OK, if that's what it takes, I'm waiting - and they whisked my car away at about 8am.
About 90 minutes later, my original service advisor visits me, and he says that the TSB DOES apply to me, it's COVERED under the HondaCare warranty, and lo and behold, they DO have the parts. They had already started the replacement of the control arms when I spotted my car. A full 4-wheel alignment was also done. They were done at 11:15am. And this included a state inspection. So 2-3 hours is about right once they can get started on it.

My invoice looks very similar to Colby's (post 1), with the same part numbers, but actually mentions the TSB "S/B# 08-001". I signed something for the HondaCare warranty to take care of the costs. I think it would have cost $340 or so, total. No charge to me, except for the state inspection.

So, while confusing and iffy all along the way (at least from the service advisors' initial opinions), I will recommend Lute Riley Honda, Richardson, TX 75080, 972-437-4145.

And, again, thanks to Colby (and others) for organizing this thread so well.

EDIT: almost forgot, my alignment #s:
Before Measurements:
Front -
Camber: 0.1 Left/ 0.0 Right (in tolerance)
Caster: 6.5 Left/ 6.4 Right (in tolerance)
Toe: -0.13 Left/ -0.12 Right (out of tolerance)
Steer Ahead: -0.01 (in tolerance)
Rear -
Camber: -0.7 Left/ -0.6 Right (in tolerance)
Toe: 0.33 Left/ 0.23 Right (out of tolerance)
Thrust Angle 0.05 (in tolerance)

After Measurements:
Front -
Camber: 0.1 Left/ -0.1 Right (in tolerance)
Caster: 6.5 Left/ 6.9 Right (in tolerance)
Toe: 0.01 Left/ 0.01 Right (in tolerance)
Steer Ahead: 0.00 (in tolerance)
Rear -
Camber: -0.8 Left/ -0.7 Right (in tolerance)
Toe: 0.08 Left/ 0.08 Right (in tolerance)
Thrust Angle 0.00 (in tolerance)

 

I've got a relatively high mileage (56K) 2006 HCH. I'm on my 3rd set of tires (@ ~16K, ~38K). I went in for an alignment because of pulling and loud noises in the rear and my dealer suggested I get a diagnosis. (by the way, while I used to be able to get 49 mpg, I can't seem to get over 37 mpg now).

My service manager told me about the service bulletin 08-001 and also told me (in the nicest way possible) that I would have to pay for the upper control arms and labor because the car was out of warranty.

If this is an incorrectly manufactured part, regardless of whether the car is out of warranty, it shouldn't matter, in my opinion.

Any suggestions on how to approach this?
I bought a Honda because of their reputation for quality and service. First new car I ever bought, after 25 years of being a driver. Probably the last Honda I'll ever buy.

 

Thanks to this discussion forum for bringing this up. Actually I owe thanks to a lot of folks: the people who posted about this on greenhybrid.com, and in Tallahassee, Proctor Honda (which gave me absolutely no flak about doing this), and Action Auto (which gave me the diagnosis).

In early August, when I was suddenly shopping for a car after a family Corolla wiped out in a bad rainstorm, I found a gently-used 2008 Civic Hybrid at Proctor Honda -- a nice price on a car that was virtually new. I jumped on it and bought it and I just love Sparkle... she is the nicest thing I've ever driven. She's my second Honda and my guess is she won't be my last.

Proctor Honda also agreed to repaint the passenger door (it had been scuffed by grit in transport). Then Action Auto inspected the car for me and said it was in great shape except for one odd thing: the tires were badly worn -- very odd for a car with its low mileage -- and had unusual wear patterns. Honda replaced the tires immediately, since they fell beyond the wear allowable for resale under Honda Certified, and I didn't think about the excess wear/odd wear patterns (though perhaps I should have).

So now I had a gently-used hybrid with an immaculate paint job and a warranty "like new." I suddenly have a lot of trips to make (live in FL, work in GA) so Sparkle and I hit the road... smooth ride... comfy... I hike up the seat so I can see over the steering wheel (I'm short)... pop the ipod in the MP3 jack... appreciate the absolute quiet of this car as it hums along lovely canopy roads... while away the driving hours watching the MPG gauge... smirk at SUV drivers gassing up... life is good.

But I want to show off Sparkle's fuel efficiency so everyone in the Southeast knows I drive a hybrid, so I start Googling for hybrid license plates.

I find threads on greenhybrid.com... I see mention of a TSB. Worn tires... unusual wear patterns...a lightbulb goes off over head. I print off the TSB, make an appointment through Honda Link, bring Sparkle in to Proctor Honda, and they bat not an eye and agree to do the work.

Now, maybe Proctor Honda should have brought this up when they replaced the tires, but I'm betting Honda *sales* isn't up on these. If I am pointing at anything, it's at Honda Link for not listing TSBs (at least not where they are obvious)... but all hail the Interwebs for allowing customers to communicate. Big props for Action Auto identifying the problem, and I know why they aren't familiar with the TSB: for the most part, in their shop they don't see NEW Hondas. (Sparkle is the newest car I've driven in 20 years; my previous car, a '93 Civic, is still in the family and doing quite well. So I have been doing business with non-dealer car mechanics for most of my driving life. I'll miss Action Auto... good peeps.)

All's well that ends well... think I'll now go buy a license-plate frame

 

Welcome to Greenhybrid, kgs!

Excellent first post, BTW.
There's lots of info here, as you may have already seen. DO stick around.

 

I would like to thank who ever made this post!!!!! I went to my 1st dealer back in July stating the my steering wheel had vibration. The guy there got all rude with me and would not assist me. I thought about it and state why would I go back to this dealership with the service manager acting all rude. I went to my 2nd dealer explaining the same thing they state I need my control arms replaced and it would cost me $372.00. I thought it would be a simple fix to the car (tires, or alignment only) I finally got the car fix with the control arms and my car still shakes. I was charge for the service and the car still has steering issues. I took my car back the 2nd time explain my car steering is not right. The service tech explain that I need new tires(which would cost $500.00) I explain to him that I will pay near $900.00 for an alignment issues and it might not be fix correctly. I hung up the phone nicely might I add. I happen to do a search online and found this website ****THANK GOD**** I read the post and called American Honda and I explain to her what happen she stated the dealers was unprofessional they just fix the issues with no charge and that I would get a refund back. I did tell her that it too a blog to get honest answer about the issues with my car after several attempts to fix the issues. I will get a refund on this service **thank goodness** she waiting to see if I can get my tires replace also. **crossing fingers**

THIS WILL BE MY FIRST AND LAST HONDA DUE TO POOR SERVICE!!!! VERY DISAPPOINTED AND ONLY HAD THE CAR ONE YEAR.

 

Try finding (yet) another dealer. They aren't all THAT bad. Of course, we don't know where you are - so maybe they really ARE all that bad in your area.
Sorry you've had bad experiences with the dealerships. At least now you know you can contact American Honda, and maybe get a good experience.

Welcome to GreenHybrid! If you stick around, you'll find all manner of things to learn about your CIvic. We're a pretty friendly group.