Canadian TSB For the Rear Right Cargo Noise (US #04-010. Sorry, Long Post)

[RipRocK]

When I dropped my Pilot off at my servicing dealer first thing yesterday morning for an intermediate service, I went for a quick drive with a technician because I've been getting this loud creaking noise coming from the rear right wheel area whenever I went over a bump at low speeds, like you do in a parking lot over a speedbump.

The noise was heard for a better part of the past year or so, but only off and on and it never came on whenever I brought the car to the dealer in the past when being serviced. I did mention it a couple of times, but I always got the "sorry, can't duplicate, can't do anything" reply.

However, the noise was immediately picked up the technician during the drive, so when we came back to the dealer I asked about a possible "good will" repair by Honda Canada since my bumper to bumper warranty have expired. The service advisor though politely said that only issues which are covered under a TSB can be considered for "good will".

Now, I knew this was a long shot since the 04-010 TSB was issued only for the US Pilots, but I brought out a printout of it anyway, hoping I'd be able to get them to request Honda Canada for a "good will" repair on my behalf.

When the service advisor looked at the US TSB, he murmurred about having seen something similar back in January. So, he whipped out his TSB binder and sure enough, back in the middle of Jan of this year, a similar TSB had been issued for Canada.

So, now, this was a different story. He felt that I had a very strong case to have Honda Canada allow a "good will" repair on my Pilot, and he called someone over at Honda Canada right away. He proceeded to relate my situation and asked for a clearance on a "good will" repair order. But he was denied right away and there ensued a rather heated exchange between my service advisor and whoever was on the other end of the line.

Just then, my courtesy shuttle driver came to get me to take me to work, so, the service advisor put the person on hold and told me that he'd call me to lemme know what came out of it. But he told me that there's no way I should be paying for a TSB repair that was already issued a year earlier in the US and said that he'll do everything he can for me.

So, I got a call during lunch time from my service advisor and it was decided that Honda Canada would pay for the parts and the dealer would pay for the labour. I was very pleasantly surprised by this since I hadn't even bought my Pilot from that dealer! So, I had actually offered to take care of the labour but he said that it's all been taken care of.

Anyway, the parts have been ordered and once I get a call informing me of its delivery, I'm supposed to set up another appointment to have the TSB performed on my Pilot.

Again, I aplogize for this long post, but I thought I should provide the specifics of my situation in case someone else migth be in the same boat as I was in with this particular noise issue due to the strange fact that Honda Canada always issues the same TSB much, much later than American Honda does.

Most of all, I was very impressed with my service advisor and how he really argued my case for me with Honda Canada. Of course, all of this hassle would've been avoided had Honda Canada issued the same TSB at the sametime as the US TSB came out, at which time I would've still been under the warranty. But that's another story.

I don't have the Canadian TSB number, but I'll get it when the good will TSB is performed.

[john802]

good for you! I'm glad that they will shoulder the cost of replacing the rear dampers of your Pilot.
BTW, If you happen to get a copy of the Canadian version of TSB 04-010... please post it so that our Canadian comrades will be aware of it.

[sfhondapilot]

Nice story to hear. Thanks for the post ... and it wasn't that long.

[RipRocK]

Thanks guys, and yeah, I'm really happy that things worked out in the end. I'll post the TSB number, or even scan in the work order once I get it done.

[Dac]

Hi RipRock,glad things went well;what dealer did you go to ?,was it Yellowhead Honda ?
Thanks.
Dac

[wuttja]

I'm surprised that a TSB is only done under warranty. I had a 97 Accord with 150K on it when my dealer performed a TSB on it. It was way out of warranty (by 114K miles) and I didn't even report a problem. They just did it when I brought the car in for a regular service.

[john802]

Originally posted by wuttja
I'm surprised that a TSB is only done under warranty. I had a 97 Accord with 150K on it when my dealer performed a TSB on it. It was way out of warranty (by 114K miles) and I didn't even report a problem. They just did it when I brought the car in for a regular service.

The dealer will not do a TSB service for free if the car is out of warranty unless they get an ok from Honda and Honda will reimburse them for that service. A recall is a different story. You can have it service at manufacturer's cost even if your vehicle is out of warranty.

[wuttja]

Originally posted by john802


The dealer will not do a TSB service for free if the car is out of warranty unless they get an ok from Honda and Honda will reimburse them for that service. A recall is a different story. You can have it service at manufacturer's cost even if your vehicle is out of warranty.

Good to know! Honda must have authorized it ahead of time since it was just done without cost or even a discussion.

[RipRocK]

Originally posted by Dac
Hi RipRock,glad things went well;what dealer did you go to ?,was it Yellowhead Honda ?
Thanks.
Dac

It was Millwoods Honda. They've always have been fair with me and I've used them for all my maintenance service. If I buy another Honda, I'd certainly go with them and I can confidently recommend them to anyone.

And as for Phuqhead Honda, I would never, ever go back to them for anthing. I bought my Pilot from there and it was one of the most regrettable, frustrating and unpleasant experiences I've ever had in my life. To this day, I wouldn't cross the street to spit in the service dept. manager's weasel little face who handled my botched up hood deflector installation matter.

The guy's not worth my spit.

[Sunday Rider]

Hey RipRock glad to hear it went well. It is great that for once the dealership goes to bat for you. My dealer wouldn't even look at the TSB and wouldn't call because it was a US Honda TSB.

I am going to look for another one closer to where I work.

Thanks for sharing.

[RipRocK]

Originally posted by Sunday Rider
Hey RipRock glad to hear it went well. It is great that for once the dealership goes to bat for you. My dealer wouldn't even look at the TSB and wouldn't call because it was a US Honda TSB.

I am going to look for another one closer to where I work.

Thanks for sharing.

Anytime, SundayRider. The Canadian TSB though just came out back in the middle of January of this year, so your dealer might not've been aware of it.

Had the Canadian TSB not been issued at all, I highly doubt that even my servicing dealer would've been able to do anything for me even with the US TSB in my hand. But now that it has been, make sure you tell them to refer to the Canadian TSB. I'm sure they'll take care of it for you.

[Dac]

Thanks RipRock and you right,there is something about Yellowhead dealership,when i was looking to buy a hitch for our Pilot i phoned around and when i called the dealer they quoted me in exess of $ 400 CAD ! so when i comented that it was a little stipp the parts/service guy just hang up the phone on me !!!!!!!,i thought "this freak is rude man" SOB .How about this;we put 12.000 Kms on our Pilot and not once have i been there for anything ,i do my own engine oil changes,including the differential VTM-4,i'll do my own tranny too at about 35~40.000 Kms,and with some luck i hope i will not have to go to the dealers for a long time (.....i hope ).
Take care RipRock and evereybody.
Dac

[borg]

Getting all 4 shocks replaced.

Brought Pilot into dealer today for the rear cargo noise, they found that the front shocks were leaking & right rear shock making the clunking noise.

All parts ordered & repairs will be done under warranty......hopefully by next week.

Canadian TSB # for rear cargo noise is:
05-1-8

[Sunday Rider]

Originally posted by borg
Getting all 4 shocks replaced.

Brought Pilot into dealer today for the rear cargo noise, they found that the front shocks were leaking & right rear shock making the clunking noise.

All parts ordered & repairs will be done under warranty......hopefully by next week.

Canadian TSB # for rear cargo noise is:
05-1-8

Hello Borg,
What's the mileage (kilometerage) on your Pilot?
Was if fixed under the TSB? Were you able to see the shocks leaking?
I have 98,000km and wondering if I should go for the next 60,000km warranty which is $1,000 CAD. OR just forget about it, and cross my fingers.
Thanks

[borg]

My Pilot now has 56k+ km, this past month I began to notice the clunking noise from the rear cargo as described on the TSB. Just to be sure, I removed all the emergency items I had packed in the rear head restraint storage as well as the jack. It took a short drive to the mall parking lot, over the speed bumps, to confirm noise was not from the items or the jack, stowed in respective storage areas.

Made the appointment to take Pilot in. I mentioned to service adviser about American TSB as well as a Canadian TSB. The latter based on RipRock's post.

Guy looks it up in his computer & found the appropriate Canadian TSB.

Pilot was taken for a drive to confirm the problem exist, upon further examination, they found front shocks leaking.

I didn't see the leak, nor did I suspect the front shocks were leaking before. I even looked at the shocks when I got home & i could'nt see any leaks.

My understanding is that the repairs/replacement will be done under warranty although the initial complaint about rear cargo noise was due to TSB.

I too am contemplating purchasing extended warranty........not sure what I'll be doing yet.