| jbilbo |
Well, we are at wits end!
VTM warning light came on around 7400 miles.
Service visit #1: Take the MDX in for basic 7500 service thinking that the light would turn off after the visit. Came back on after less than 50 miles.
Service visit #2: Service dept couldn't get the light to come back on after two days. Serivice dept decides to replace VTM computer thinking the warning code was false. I pick up the car and the light comes on after about 20 miles.
Service visit #3: Car returned to service the next day. Services has the car for 3 days and could not get the warning light to activate. I pick it up and get it to turn on in 5 minutes! I turn around and return it to service. They hook up a diagnostic computer to the port under the dashboard. Tech drives it for about 10 miles and gets the light to come back on! Computer says left rear clutch is engaging at a slower rate than normal and they decide to replace the rear VTM unit (differential maybe?)
They send back the old unit to Acura for investigation. I pick up the car after about a week in the shop.
The MDX seems fine for about 5 days of normal usage. While sitting at a stop light, the VTM warning light turns on!
Service visit #4: Car has been in the shop since Aug 1st. No news from the Acura Tech line and the service dept has not a clue.
Have called Acura Customer Service to see what are my options. Also checking into my states lemon laws.
:confused: |
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| jbilbo |
Update:
Well after 5 trips and over 30 days in service, Acura will be getting us a new MDX. What was replaced/tried:
Changed rear differential oil
New VTM computer
New rear differential
Run new VTM wires
New VTM computer again
I am currently driving the service department's loaner car. Our replacement MDX will be here by the end of Sept.
Hope this is the end of our car troubles! |
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| BellTeck |
Congradulations Jbiblo,
I hope my situation can one day turn out like yours did in the end. What did it take for Acura to finally say they will replace it? Did you do or talk to anyone there who made the decision?
Thanks for any info ... good luck with the new one !!
TECK! |
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| msu79gt82 |
... BellTech!
If jbilbo can succed I see no reason you can't either. |
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| jbilbo |
Hey Teck!
After the last attempt to fix the VTM light.... they drove it for about 105 miles without it lighting back up. Service Dept said it was fixed and we had no recourse.
I called Acura CS and left a message with the Acura District Parts & Service Manager. He reviewed my case and determined that the issue was resolved. I explained that the Service Dept. said it was resolved the last 3 times and it still triggered the VTM light. Also I was in the "high 20's" in days in service and he couldn't do anything until it was at least 30 days.
I asked if it happened one more time would he consider it an unresolved problem and he said "Yes". Well, the next day my wife was driving it and the warning light triggered! Went to the service department and the Service Manager said "This is Acura's problem now. Here is your loaner car back."
I left it there over the weekend and the District Manager came in on Monday (a regular scheduled visit) and I met with him for about an hour discussing my options. We decided to try another MDX.
My new car should be here by the end of Sept. Meanwhile, they are letting me drive the service dept loaner car (2002 TL).
Overall, I would have to say the my dealer and Acura have been very honest and nice during the whole process.
Good luck Teck! on your issues with your MDX. Your story really scared me when we were going through our troubles.
Later,
jbilbo |
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| BellTeck |
JBilbo,
Thanks for sharing your story. My story scared you? - I was having nightmares about it along with a stiff neck from the stress at times. There is nothing worse than to feel your being ignored by the service rep/dealer/and manufacturer. I understand that there are service departments to repair vehicles but that does not mean off the showroom floor. Im very happy that your getting a new X and its great that your dealer is letting you drive the TL for a month.
Im not sure what to expect in my case because its a little different than yours. One big difference is that unfortunately I can not trust nor want to even see the dealer I bought the X from - so much for getting a loaner from them. I would not expect Rick Case to hand me a loaner car because I did not purchase it there. If Rick Case did, I would have nothing but respect for them and would understand why they have the best service and qualify as Acura's #1 service dealer + JD powers etc etc.
Now, my question to you is ... Whats the odds of us getting another lemon? 20000 - 1? 40000-1 ?
Did they give you the same X package? or did they bump you up? It sounded like your ordeal was not near as much BS as I went through but that does not mean you did not invest time / money etc ..
Congrats on yours again buddy,
TECK! |
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| jbilbo |
---- From BellTeck -----
Now, my question to you is ... Whats the odds of us getting another lemon? 20000 - 1? 40000-1 ?
Did they give you the same X package? or did they bump you up? It sounded like your ordeal was not near as much BS as I went through but that does not mean you did not invest time / money etc ..
---------------------------
Man, don't even get me thinking about another lemon! The way I see it, you and I have paid our dues and should not get another... Now if we could only get you a new X.
My original MDX was a Mesa Beige premium. They had a MB touring on the lot as a demo (less than 40 miles) and I told them that I wanted it. Acura said "No go. You get what we give you." I could have gotten the demo if I paid the extra $$ for the touring package.
As it stands now, we are getting a Silver Premium. Acura even replaced my beige interior accesories with the black version.
Good luck on your MDX....
Later,
jb |
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| raymwu |
My VTM light came on during my first extended trip the day after picking up the car. Called the dealer and he told me to bring the car in the next day. Turned on the car and the light wasn't on. Got into an accident and the VTM light came and stayed on. Acura replaced some sensor (PCM?) something or other along with the computer. Haven't gotten the car back but hope that's it.
I like your way of fixing the problem more!!
Good luck with the new one. |
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| SweetnSas |
I'm SICK TO DEATH with this VTM light. I've taken it in 3 times. The latest being today. I'm not getting any satisfaction from the service dept at the dealership. They've hooked it up to the computer and they say, "Nothing is wrong". But the light keeps coming on so SOMETHING is wrong!!!
I wasn't even home from driving from the dealership today when the light comes back on!! I don't know what to do. The service people keep saying, "Oh, it's nothing, keep driving", but I'm like, "Uh, no, I'm paying 40k for this and I want it right!!!"
So what's my recourse? I don't really want another one...I like mine but there has to be something that can be done. |
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| BellTeck |
If I were you , I would start a Lemon Law case as soon as possible .. this will not only wake the dealer up it will get Acura involved. Its very possible that your VTM system is not even working or you could be making the problem worse if its working all the time. I would NOT drive it the way it is. Its a dealers responsibility to repair these automobiles, dont take NO for an answer !!! Its time to show more Sas than Sweet !!
TECK! |
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| jbilbo |
BellTek is right!
They have to resolve the problem! Start a log of your trips (with dates) to the service department.
If the VTM comes on, there will be a code in the computer that relays the error code. Even if it is a simple generic warning code. Tell them the VTM light cannot come on unless instructed to do so by the main computer. Thus the main computer should have an error code.
Good luck with your problem.
Update on my VTM problem:
I picked up my 2001 Silver last week! Wife and I are very happy. My other MDX is now repaired. After Acrua agreed to give me a new MDX, they discovered a loose wire! Ha! You would think they would have tried it all before giving me a new car!
Acura waived the mileage fee on my old MDX (about $1700). So it cost me only $125 to pick up the new MDX. Also looked at the new lower rates and refinanced the remainder of my loan down to a lower rate (7.75% to 6.00%)
Later,
John B. |
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| NaNaLi |
quote:
Originally posted by jbilbo
BellTek is right!
They have to resolve the problem! Start a log of your trips (with dates) to the service department.
If the VTM comes on, there will be a code in the computer that relays the error code. Even if it is a simple generic warning code. Tell them the VTM light cannot come on unless instructed to do so by the main computer. Thus the main computer should have an error code.
Good luck with your problem.
Update on my VTM problem:
I picked up my 2001 Silver last week! Wife and I are very happy. My other MDX is now repaired. After Acrua agreed to give me a new MDX, they discovered a loose wire! Ha! You would think they would have tried it all before giving me a new car!
Acura waived the mileage fee on my old MDX (about $1700). So it cost me only $125 to pick up the new MDX. Also looked at the new lower rates and refinanced the remainder of my loan down to a lower rate (7.75% to 6.00%)
Later,
John B.
You are one lucky guy... Thanks to Bell, maybe Acura has instructed all service dept. on how to deal with a posible lemon. That is, deal with it right away and not get BBB or others to get involve. and because of that maybe Acura did make a mistake on giving you a new X without yours being a lemon after all. Anyways, great deal and happy for you. I hope Sweet.. gets the same deal. |
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| BellTeck |
quote:
Originally posted by jbilbo
BellTek is right!
They have to resolve the problem! Start a log of your trips (with dates) to the service department.
If the VTM comes on, there will be a code in the computer that relays the error code. Even if it is a simple generic warning code. Tell them the VTM light cannot come on unless instructed to do so by the main computer. Thus the main computer should have an error code.
Good luck with your problem.
Update on my VTM problem:
I picked up my 2001 Silver last week! Wife and I are very happy. My other MDX is now repaired. After Acrua agreed to give me a new MDX, they discovered a loose wire! Ha! You would think they would have tried it all before giving me a new car!
Acura waived the mileage fee on my old MDX (about $1700). So it cost me only $125 to pick up the new MDX. Also looked at the new lower rates and refinanced the remainder of my loan down to a lower rate (7.75% to 6.00%)
Later,
John B.
John,
Congrats on your new toy :D Hope this ride gives you years of reliability and is very dependable. I have the feeling not just with my ordeal or with yours, that ALL " lemon " cases in 01, will be studied to find out what happened and why and what the final repair was. Your case with the loose wire ( amazing ), mine with the leak/engine rebuild and trammie trouble ( which it still has ) will be passed around a table and debated. Im sure 90% of these could have been repaired IF the dealers service departments were better informed by Acura's engeneering dept. The other 10% may be bad manufacturing and or an incompetent dealer service department ( Esserman Acura ). The local service rep told me that the technician that was working on my X ( at Rick Case ) was the best in the region. I dont really know him besides from meeting him dropping off and picking up the truck .. Oh yeah and when he replaced my tire after they put the bolt through it .. he did that very quickly and I was pleased that was done.
I hope Acura asks for some feedback on the situation ( although I doubt they will ) I would be glad to give some input :mad: :eek: :confused: :rolleyes:
John , hope your refinancing paid itself off .. I was worried about getting a new loan if Acura were to make me totally start from scratch because I would have lost $1500.00 in interest fee's. Not sure what your situation was but as long as you saved the difference in interest fee's ( because most interest is charged at the beginning of the loan ) then its worth it.
TECK! |
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| SweetnSas |
I called the service department again today...this time to speak to the manager. I was GOING to tell him that we're getting dangerously close to the Lemon Laws...(in NC, you have to take it in 4 times). However, he's out until Monday.
It seems to have gotten worse. And I was telling my co-worker that I don't feel anything different when it comes on, and I don't know what the impact is by driving it WITH the light on! It could just be a loose wire OR it could be serious.
Anyhow...I should have to tell them to check the main computer. I'm not the technician...THEY are and that's something they should be checking anyhow. And it's only my 2nd time (the last time, I had to bring it back - which was this past week) because it was too late in the day.
They don't seem to be taking it seriously at all. And I think that's what's irking me the most. I could be destroying my X while they're saying, "Oh, we see this often, it's nothing you're doing or that we're doing". I said, "So who or what is doing it?" Never really got an answer for that one.
I didn't really want to fight...I'm tired. But I will! I'm ticked out and now I'm going to have to get legal with them. If I don't get satisfaction, I'll be contacting Honda America....but I will be heard.
I'll keep you folks posted! |
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| SweetnSas |
I DEFINATELY have a log of my visits! I'm starting to think I should carry around my digital camera to take pictures of it.
It used to go off and stay off for a while but now, it's coming right back on and it stays on.
:mad: grrrrrrrrrrrrr |
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| DMor |
| Snapping a pic with your date/time stamped digital is an excellent idea! ;) You might even wind up with an '02!! |
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| NaNaLi |
| Pictures speaks loader than words. I always carry a disposable camera with me in both cars we drive. It's good idea to snap some pics whenever you get into fender benders (God fobid). So take lots of pics whenever that light goes on. Good Luck!!! Hope you don't experience Teck's nightmare. |
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| SweetnSas |
Well, after going to the manager of service at the dealership and complaining, he arranged for me to bring in my MDX.
After having it a week, they replaced the VTM computer and the light hasn't come on since. I'm hopeful. I've driven it 100 miles and no light. Before it was coming on immediately.
While I was there, I told them about my THUD sound. They said they didn't know anything about that. I said, "Well maybe I should print out the thread and bring it in since I'm NOT the only person experiencing this".
Well low and behold, the manager calls me back and tells me that they DID find information about the THUD and about a silencer having to be installed, however, they have it listed for certain VINS and mine wasn't one of them which means that whatever needed to be done was done at the plant prior to shipment. Finally an intelligent answer from them.
I also said, "Are you SURE it's not some loose wire because I don't want to go through this to find out it was just a wire". They assured me that it wasn't and that they checked.
I'm hoping that they send that VTM computer out and have it analyzed to verify that it was defective. They have one more time for me to come in for this problem before the lemon laws of my state kick in.
Thanks for the support here ladies and gents. |
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