Honda want £1600+Vat+Labour for faulty VSA modulator

cruger

I have a Honda Accord 2005 diesel with 90000 miles on the clock. When I started the engine the other morning a triangle and the VSA warning light came on and stayed on. Took it to the Honda dealer who done a diagnostic test (£55) and told me the VSA modulator has failed and the part which you can only get from Honda is £1600+Vat+Labour. I phoned Honda UK customer centre and they said as a good will gesture I could have the part for £411+vat+Labour. I pointed out their bulletin (see below which I got from another website) but they said because my car had done high mileage this was their best offer, take it or leave it. If you have a Honda diesel from 2005 onward with less than 62000 miles get the VSA Modulator replaced for free NOW.


Honda has finally issued the extended warranty for the rubbish VSA modulator
made by the ultra-NOT reliable German manufacturer. Before this TSB was
announced Honda UK as a gesture of goodwill was paying for the parts and
the customer had to pay for the labour.
Finally Honda and German manufacturer have reached a solution to this issue.

TSB Bulletin No SK-07-007-00 dated 01-11-2010
This is only applicable to i-CTDI engines.
Models Affected
ACCORD 4D CN1 05, 06, 07, 08
ACCORD TOURER CN2 05, 06, 07, 08
CIVIC 5D EV1 05
CR-V RD8 05, 06
CR-V I-CTDI RD9 05, 06
Symptom
VSA light on, DTC 66-1 is stored.
Cause
Open circuit in the VSA modulator pressure sensor due to a production fault at the supplier.
Application: Warranty extension +3 years; mileage up to 62,000 miles
Any high mileage car will not be entertained... So anyone now has suddenly seen this issue, please contact your dealer provided you are with the time frame and mileage.

anewman

Oh great, so now we have admitting there's a fault with cars, but doing your best not to honour your moral obligations to the customer by enforcing a mileage exclusion that most cars with the failed part will no doubt already have exceeded.

A._Badger

Honda has been blowing its once unassailable reputation for reliability lately. I know I'd think twice about buying another one, given all the tales of woe, the less than sparkling dealer backup (in my experience) and this sort of response to customers.

What a shame that no one at Honda seems to care any longer.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

My advice would be to take the replacement part for the £411 + VAT, and then get it installed somewhere else. It doesn't sound like there's much to do.

Make sure you keep the old part, it may be serviceable. If it is, you can have it repaired and then sell it second hand on Ebay or similar.

PS - Honda, what on earth does mileage have to do with the braking system? Plonkers.

cruger

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

My advice would be to take the replacement part for the £411 + VAT, and then get it installed somewhere else. It doesn't sound like there's much to do.

Make sure you keep the old part, it may be serviceable. If it is, you can have it repaired and then sell it second hand on Ebay or similar.

PS - Honda, what on earth does mileage have to do with the braking system? Plonkers.

I agree it should have nothing to do with mileage. This is a faulty Bosch part effecting all diesel models.
The only reason Honda UK will let me have the VSA Modulator for £411+Vat is it has to be installed
by a dealer otherwise it's £1600+Vat and I can go to anyone. When I asked about the Labour
he said it was £150 Inc Vat. I cannot believe 2 of these modulators are worth more than the whole car.

vikingaero

Have you tried contacting companies such as BBA Reman who may be able to remanufacture your existing unit?

cruger

vikingaero wrote: »

Have you tried contacting companies such as BBA Reman who may be able to remanufacture your existing unit?

Yeah, BBA Reman wants £385+vat for recon and part exchange for my modulator but I would have to take it off the car and send it to them. Looks like I am going to have to pay up. Bummer.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

cruger wrote: »

I agree it should have nothing to do with mileage. This is a faulty Bosch part effecting all diesel models.
The only reason Honda UK will let me have the VSA Modulator for £411+Vat is it has to be installed
by a dealer otherwise it's £1600+Vat and I can go to anyone. When I asked about the Labour
he said it was £150 Inc Vat. I cannot believe 2 of these modulators are worth more than the whole car.

If its a Bosch part then its worth asking at a Bosch parts desk what their price is. I know the price of a Bosch MAF is much cheaper than the same part from a MB parts desk.

Check the Bosch automotive website, you'll find your nearest dealer on there.

I think the £150 inc VAT is a fair price for installation, however you should insist on retaining the existing part.

cruger

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

If its a Bosch part then its worth asking at a Bosch parts desk what their price is. I know the price of a Bosch MAF is much cheaper than the same part from a MB parts desk.

Check the Bosch automotive website, you'll find your nearest dealer on there.

I think the £150 inc VAT is a fair price for installation, however you should insist on retaining the existing part.

Yeah £150 is a great price for labour. Unfortunatly honda retains the part and it gets sent back to them. Also this is not a part you can get off the shelf at Bosch. They are clever people at Honda UK no matter which way I try they have it covered.