New(ish) car stuck in garage

redsand451

I have had a new Honda CRV since July with no problems.
2 weeks ago woke up to find the radio on full blast. Thought it had been left on, so turned it off, then 2 hours later found the same thing. Then the locks froze, parking sensors, headlights, rain sensors and auto start stop randomly switched off. All in all, seemed to have some serious electrical gremlins.

Called the AA and they took into the local dealer. To cut a long story short, it has now been in the dealer for 2 weeks. Twice they have said it is fixed, only for me to drive home and find it go crazy again. They have updated software, replaced circuit boards, etc, but frankly don't seem to have a clue.

Dealer has also been awkward in initially stating they couldn't offer a loan car, and only after contacting customer services, they reluctantly have provided a test drive car (civic).

Does anyone have any ideas what the underlying issue might be?

And what is a reasonable time for the dealer to fix it? If they can't fix it, should/could they refer it back to the factory? And if it goes on too long, what are my rights to say give me a replacement that matches my CRV (as I would if this was a faulty TV, for example).

I've had a few Honda's over the years without issue, so this has really tarnished their reputation in my eyes.

forgotmyname

Electrical gremlins. Water ingress maybe?

spacey2012

Fuse box ?

Westmead_Fan

when you say new, do you mean brand spanking new with you being the first owner?

you would need a auto electrician if its wiring problems but that will cost you a fortune & that's if they find the fault

Norman_Castle

Contact trading standards about repair or replacement rights.

verityboo

If it is a new new car might be worth giving Whatcar magazine a ring on Tel: 020 8267 5688. They have stores in the mag each month where people have problems. Manufacturers tend to take notice when a mag is going to run a negative story about them

Stooby2

If it is brand new, keep on at the dealer and it will be covered under warranty. And by keep on, I mean, really keep on. Every time it comes back with the same fault, take it back, drag the Customer Service manager out of his/her office and tell him/her what's going on. Document everything in writing and send it to Honda's head office.

Unfortunately everything in your car is computer controlled and it could be a random fault anywhere in the system - there are numerous ECU's controlling different parts of the car and it sound like one of them is causing problems and it will take some tracing.

redsand451

Thanks for the replies.

Yes it was brand new.

Still with the dealer who are now in contact with Honda about it. They are "unplugging cables, checking pins, etc". Seems like trial and error, yet the fault only shows up intermittently, so they keep test driving it. Obviously an obscure issue as if they could fix it, they would have by now.

Not a lot I can do but wait and hope on the 3rd time I get it back, it doesn't go again. If it does then .....

flashg67

Usual process with most faults like this, if the dealer is struggling is 1) dealer raise a technical case and liaise with factory to try and resolve. 2) Factory or regional 'roaming' technician will visit and try to fix, then 3) return to factory for specialist diagnosis.

That's what I'd be pushing for, via Honda, rather than the dealer if necessary.

colino

I think the problem is, they really have never come across the fault before and are genuinely resorting to section testing all of the electrics. Must say Hondas rarely suffer from poor design and build issues and unless this one has been for a swim, it will be down to a sparkie finding where the loom issue is.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

flashg67 wrote: »

Usual process with most faults like this, if the dealer is struggling is 1) dealer raise a technical case and liaise with factory to try and resolve. 2) Factory or regional 'roaming' technician will visit and try to fix, then 3) return to factory for specialist diagnosis.

That's what I'd be pushing for, via Honda, rather than the dealer if necessary.

it can go that rout, but by then the OP is entitled to reject.


TBH if its not fixed this time round then I would calling the finance company telling the issue and stating im intending on rejecting.
ill be going into Honda with a view to not give them another opportunity to repair or send it off and want a refund or replacement.