Faulty Brand New Honda Civic 1.6 i Detc & Can I demand a replacement?

snowshine

Hi
My new Honda Civic 1.6 i Detc bought from Honda Dealers financed through Honda Finance with deposit partly paid by Credit Card and cash deposit.
Car was delivered to me on the 4th October 2013.
22nd november 2013 a warning symbol on the dashboard "Engine Malfunction Indicator" appeared. I took it to the dealer straight away-told it was a software issue & reset the error code. The following morning the same warning appeared as soon as I started my car-Took back to the garage. The kept it for a day and informed me that "MAP SENSOR" failure-& the Part had been ordered under warranty. They returned my car a week later [Repaired I thought, that is what I was told]

Yesterday my car through up a warning symbol on the dashboard as soon as I started my car. The warning this time is a "PGM-FI"-a problem with engine control. I took it bak to the dealer who sold me the car. I had a call this evening to say it was a software problem and a part has been ordered but would only arrive next Tuesday!!
The part is "MAP SENSOR" the same part that was replaced in December 2013.
I have bought a new car to avoid any worry running a car but I am made a total wreck. I am very upset, anxious and worried sick. I feel very panicky now that this new car less than 6 months old to cause me such anguish? I totally lost confidence in this car.
What is my rights are to ask for a replacement car. That is the least a huge company like Honda can do to a customer when a faulty car'd left their factory,Surely. What Should I do?
Any one have such an experience? Please advice me>
Regards

daveyjp

One bonus is you have a Honda. They are without doubt the best company at dealing with customer problems.

I would contact Honda HQ and ask them to get involved and look at why this has happened again.

A friend with a Honda Jazz outside of warranty by 4 months has just had the whole of the climate control and aircon system replaced free of charge. Honda were aware of a problem on some Jazz models and fixed it.

snowshine

What are my rights to demand for a replacement car?
By they replace this part and let me drive for another month or two & to develop same problem...I would have gone over 6 months since purchase of my brand New Car.
Would this not jeopardise my rights for a replacement?
This is causing so much anguish, worry and pain.. I am feeling sick.

WTFH

snowshine wrote: »

What are my rights to demand for a replacement car?

You can ASK for a replacement, but they can choose to repair, replace or refund.

Ultrasonic

snowshine wrote: »

This is causing so much anguish, worry and pain.. I am feeling sick.

I think you are worrying about this far more than you ought to be. I totally understand your frustration, but ultimately Honda have to sort this one way or another. Contacting Honda HQ as suggested above isn't a bad suggestion though.

It is not at all unheard of for people to have problems with brand new cars. The difference to buying used is that the purchaser doesn't have to pay to get the problems fixed.

tykesi

This is causing so much anguish, worry and pain.. I am feeling sick.

Mountain/molehill?

Cue claim for compensation.

motorguy

snowshine wrote: »

What are my rights to demand for a replacement car?
By they replace this part and let me drive for another month or two & to develop same problem...I would have gone over 6 months since purchase of my brand New Car.
Would this not jeopardise my rights for a replacement?
This is causing so much anguish, worry and pain.. I am feeling sick.

I dont think you've any real right at this stage to a replacement car.

If you arent getting a level of satisfaction from the local dealer - and i'd say you are at this stage - then ring Honda UK and get their take on it.

snowshine

motorguy wrote: »

I dont think you've any real right at this stage to a replacement car.

Thanks Paul.
When would be it considered a car sold as brand new, failed it's claim ?
In another month 6 months is over and if fault remain, where do I stand?
I do not feel optimistic with regard to this car. There must be something seriously fault and chaining the same part for the second time round in a Brand New Car is quite unheard of. (One understands what ever a human make fault can occur but for a second time the same part to fail in a brand new car, is something a mistry!!)

@tykesi
I am very anxious, worried and feeling sick with the saga when so much money I am borrowing to pay back... (i am not a rich person part time worker with two young children):(

Ultrasonic

snowshine wrote: »

When would be it considered a car sold as brand new, failed it's claim ?

Not really sure what you mean, the car was new. What you can argue about is whether it is fit for purpose and met reasonable expectations under the Sale of Goods Act.

There must be something seriously fault and chaining the same part for the second time round in a Brand New Car is quite unheard of. (One understands what ever a human make fault can occur but for a second time the same part to fail in a brand new car, is something a mistry!!)

There may be an underlying fault, or the replacement part has simply failed. The latter is possible. Either way this should be resolved for you.

I am very anxious, worried and feeling sick with the saga when so much money I am borrowing to pay back... (i am not a rich person part time worker with two young children):(

Your financial situation is no different than it would be if the car was working perfectly. If you do end up out of pocket as a result of the car breaking down I would encourage you to discuss this with the dealer/Honda UK, with some expectation that you could get your costs refunded.

It sounds as if you may have realised that you overstretched yourself to buy the car, and are now hoping to be able to get out of the commitment by returning the car as faulty?

ic

If there was a breakdown, the car should be covered under warranty and normally this includes breakdown cover (I think Honda go with the AA?) - so get the car towed to the nearest Honda garage, then take their courtesy car in the meantime.

When I got my 14 month old Civic (6000 miles on the clock), it had several rattles and lose bits of trim. It had to go in a few times to get things sorted, but eventually they all were. Much later it had issues with the clutch and clutch peddle (common problem on early diesels). Even out of warranty Honda went halves with me on the costs. Ultimately the car has been a great runner.

If your car has trouble, arrange with your garage to collect it from home/work, leaving you with a courtesy car. This should minimise the impact to you whilst work is done.

snowshine

Thanks Ultrasonic.
I am sorry if I was not clear in my post.
No,I do not want to get out of my commitments. On the contrary I want a car that is new as was claimed by Honda. I do want a car that I do not need to take to the garage every 2nd month!!

Mine is just over 4 months old. My concerns are reading googling to suggest after 6 months I may loose the right for a replacement if something go wrong. I am not familier with the legal stuff and hence asking for advice from helpful people like you. Thank you again.

I need a car that is supposed to behave as expected but not like here where I have had taken this for checking and repair for 4 times and taken away from me and kept in their workshop for over a week on each occasion. My car is still in their workshop by the way!!:(