Honda Dealer Recommended Over $1,000 in Repairs

"Fyoeu" (fyoeu2) 04/27/2019 at 11:48 • Filed to: None

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So last night, m y mom dropped off her 2006 Accord at the Honda dealership to have the airbag recall done. I dropped her off at the dealership this morning to pick it back up. W hen she came home and handed me the “Vehicle Inspection Sheet”, I couldn’t help but read it and laugh!

There were two additional sheets attached, with all of the services they recommend , as well as the estimates for each service. They rec omm ended:

-Brake Fluid Flush - $204.63

-Cooling System Flush - $213.40

-Fuel System Cleaning (lol) - $212.88

-Power Steering Flush -$210.13

-Transmission Flush - $276.94

GRAND TOTAL: $1,1117.98

Of course she declined all of that, but it sucks knowing that people fall for this stuff all the time.

Brake fluid is still clean, coolant was done about 2 years ago, power steering fluid is still pretty clean, the transmission fluid is still clean & red, and the fuel system cleaning..... HAH! that’s a good one. This is exactly why we don’t take her car there anymore.

fhrblig > Fyoeu 04/27/2019 at 12:14

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CP.

I think I paid $69 (niiice) for the last brake flush on the van. Maybe $150 on the transmission because it takes a lot of fluid. Something like 14 quarts if I remember right.

FSI > Fyoeu 04/27/2019 at 12:17

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Brake fluid should be flushed every two years though. Other than that, nope...

Sovande > Fyoeu 04/27/2019 at 12:18

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Brake fluid is a mileage/time related service, no? Honda recommends every 7 years, regardless of mileage. Water gets in the fluid, lowers the boiling point (by about 200 degrees) and results in brake fade. If it hasn't been done, I would certainly pay the $200.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Fyoeu 04/27/2019 at 12:22

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As for the brake fluid, define clean... It can look good and still absorb moisture. Best to do it every 2-3 years. And if you’re too cheap/lazy/whatever to do that then test it to correct moisture content.

Lots of fluids are based on time regardless of how they appear. The dealer may not know you’ve had those things done, so of course they’re going to recommend them.

Fuel system cleaning definitely not a scam. You wouldn’t believe the number of misfires and cold start knocks I’ve fixed just by doing a fuel system service to get the carbon out. Doing one every few years isn’t a bad maintenance idea. Above and beyond for sure, but not a scam.

It’s a 13 year old car. They're recommending normal maintenance items. What's the problem?

Fyoeu > fhrblig 04/27/2019 at 12:28

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yep! those prices seem muuch more reasonable, haha

qbeezy > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/27/2019 at 12:37

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I can second the fuel system cleaning, especially if your car is direct injection. After getting it done, I gained lost power, better idling and fuel efficiency.

BeaterGT > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/27/2019 at 12:37

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Agreed, some places recommend things purely on mileage and especially if they have no prior records to go off of. 

Fyoeu > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/27/2019 at 12:46

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Yeah, as for the brake fluid, I guess that one should be done since it’s been about 2 years - only reason why I doubted it was because it’s still golden.

Now if the tech had actually checked the transmission fluid (I’d assume he/she would) I’m sure they’d see that it’s still clean. The coolant was changed at this dealership 2 years ago, so not too sure why they recommended that.

Fuel system cleaning... i mean, maybe if it wasn’t running well.

I just wasn’t sure what led the tech to recommend some of  these services.

His Stigness > Fyoeu 04/27/2019 at 12:57

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As AMGtech stated, these are all normal maintenance items, and if they don’t have the service history they will recommend them.

Brake flush should always be done every two years.

On most of their transmission, Honda has a service interval of only FIFTEEN thousand miles on the transmission fluid.

And again, to reiterate AMGtech, fuel system cleaning services periodically does wonders for a vehicle’s performance and system longevity.

Not every dealer is out to screw you. Did they give her the hard sell? Tell her she was going to die? Refuse to let her leave before she said yes? If not stop going in with the attitude that they’re going to try and screw you. Many times when you go in with that attitude it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. When you shit on other people they will shit right back on you.

His Stigness > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/27/2019 at 12:58

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BUT THE DEALER IS ONLY LOOKING OUT FOR THEM.

It always amazes me how people go through life assuming everyone is out to screw them. If people would take a deep breath, act like a god damn adult, and treat other people with respect, well, they might not be treated like shit all the time. 

His Stigness > Fyoeu 04/27/2019 at 12:59

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Only doing services when you have a problem is a great way to destroy components. It’s called “preventative” maintenance for a reason.

You change your oil before your engine seizes , right?

facw > Fyoeu 04/27/2019 at 13:08

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I do wish car service records were stored electronically in the car so that a shop could quickly pull up whether a car is due for certain services.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/27/2019 at 13:12

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Can I take my Fiesta to a Mercedes dealer lol

Just Jeepin' > facw 04/27/2019 at 13:13

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Then people would complain that shops are being forced to buy more expensive electronics to update the database, or someone would forget to update it, or, or, or...

Clearly the only correct approach is simply to buy a new car every time your old one needs maintenance.

Just Jeepin' > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/27/2019 at 13:17

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Thanks for the reminder that it’s time to take a closer look at my maintenance schedule and figure out what I’m overdue for. I haven’t had anyone nag me about scheduled maintenance in a long time, so I’m sure several things have been overlooked.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > BeaterGT 04/27/2019 at 13:19

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Not just mileage, but age. Most maintenance charts in owner's manuals recommend things by time and mileage, whichever comes first. 

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 04/27/2019 at 13:20

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Lol sure but you're going to get the idiot lube techs working on it!

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/27/2019 at 13:27

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Well I can see one definite problem... the quoted prices seem to be about double what they should be given that this is no AMG.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Fyoeu 04/27/2019 at 13:29

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An electronic breaker fluid tester can be picked up at any parts store for less than $20. Lots of techs have them. Stick it in the fluid, press button. Green, yellow, or red LED. Easy.

Again, for the trans, maybe they’re recommending based on time. Fluids break down over time. All of them. Not just engine oil. They can still look perfect when this happens. Appearance is only one small indicator of fluid condition. Your owner’s manual almost certainly suggests things based on time and mileage, whichever comes first. And if I’m not mistaken, Hondas of this vintage, or in general, have garbage transmissions. I’ve seen my fair share of them fail and I’ve never worked in a shop saw many, or any, Hondas.

As for the coolant, maybe they didn’t check history. A lot of people overlook this. But that’s where you come in and can say “oh hey we did that two years ago” then they’ll say “then no worries, you’re good to go!”

Fuel system, like I said, above and beyond. Take care of any issues before they arise. I do my own cars annually. Definitely not necessary. But some people like to go the extra mile on maintenance.

Hope this helps. Not trying to come across as a dick. Just shed some light on maintenance items and why shops (not just dealers) recommend them. I'm sure they would elaborate if asked.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 04/27/2019 at 13:40

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I have no idea what Honda prices are. That looks reasonable to me. Different world though I know. I was just trying to address the other half of the complaint. OP seemed indignant that anything was recommended at all. I’m sure they would discount if asked.

Let’s assume an hour of labor at $150 for each of those items, except trans which is probably 1.5 hours.

2 liters of brake fluid, probably marked up too much.

Cooling system flush seems better. Probably a cleaner and an additive or two for after the service, plus a gallon of undiluted coolant.

Fuel system seems good. Additive for the tank. Shut the fork pump down. Run the engine o n a cleaner pumped directly into the fuel rail. Enable the pump again. Then inject a third cleaner into the intake just after the air filter. And also clean the throttle body.

PS probably uses a cleaner, them another 2 liters of fluid. Dealer mark up in line with everything else.

Trans. Probably a cleaner, maybe a filter, then what is often one of the most expensive fluids in a car. Seems like a good price to me.

Probably a 2-3 year parts and labor warranty also. And maybe a free wash? Maybe a loaner? There can be a lot of value in paying a shop to do these things.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > facw 04/27/2019 at 13:43

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BMW and Mercedes have been doing this forever. But it's confusing to figure out each individual item. So everyone just resets the full service instead of checking each individual item.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Sovande 04/27/2019 at 13:46

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7 years! That's fucking insane! Hell no would I every let a car go that long! I could see 7 years for trans, diff, or PS, but not brake fluid.

Just Jeepin' > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/27/2019 at 14:42

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When in doubt, create a new  spreadsheet.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Just Jeepin' 04/27/2019 at 14:54

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Very nice!

GanjaGreenF40 > Fyoeu 04/27/2019 at 15:26

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I have a 2013 Civic Touring. I bought it used last year with 73,000kms. I have had the fuel system cleaned, transmission flushed, brakes done, 4 New tires, 2 New rear shocks. I have 115,000kms on her now and I plan on keeping her for a while. Just regular upkeep on an older car. I have no problem spending the money to keep her going.

Sovande > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/27/2019 at 15:30

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That is what I found on the Google. I like to do it every two years. Or I should say that I like to take it somewhere and pay to have it done every two years. 

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Sovande 04/27/2019 at 16:59

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Weird. Search I just did came up with 3 years. Damnit Google, be consistent!

Sovande > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/27/2019 at 17:49

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I may suck at the Google. I did another search and found three years as well... 

This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja: > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 04/27/2019 at 19:11

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C urious, what does the fuel system cleaning entail? I usually throw half a can of seafoam into the tank once every other oil change or so, but interested to know what the pros do/use.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Fyoeu 04/27/2019 at 22:41

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I took the Miata in to get a steering wheel rattle fixed under warranty and they recommended $1500 worth of work including 961 for 4 new tires.

Mind you, the tires that are on the car were purchased late last summer. They’ve got 8mm of tread depth when they’re brand new and mine are currently at 6mm.

They also suggested an oil change (because they don’t have me in the system and have no way of knowing I just did one 3K miles ago) , alignment, throttle body cleaning, injector flush, and a  brake fluid flush - all of this was listed in the “Failed - Critical Concern” section of the inspection report.