Rep Power: 0

Let me first say, Ugggggg

I purchased a 2004 Honda Civic lx the first day of November 2003. Last week my AC went out, so I figured it would be as simple as a blown fuse, so I checked them out, but all of them checked out fine. So at this point I figured it would be something else (Condenser, compressor, one of the hoses. . .who knows) so I took it into my local Honda dealership to get it checked out. Well about 5 hours later I received a call that my condenser had been hit by a rock and would have to be replaced. Due to the system running with out any RJ-134a I would also need to have the Drier and a few other parts replaced. My next comment was, "Well that sucks good thing I have the new car warrantee." His response knocked me on my ***. "No sir, that is not covered under the warrantee. That damage was caused by everyday driving and you will need to pay for it your self.
I asked how much the repairs would cost me. The "Service manager" stated that after Labor it would come up to 576.87$. I was blown away. Why in the hell would a rock from the road punch a hole though my condenser? I currently own 4 cars, (87 Toyota mr2, 93 ford mustang, 87 stang (old cop car) and this new Honda) and I have never had to replace the condenser on any of them, let alone with in 10000 miles of them being new. His comment was, "Well freak things can happen" My response was, "yea, that is why new cars come with a warrantee"
His response was, "Well if a rock hit your windshield and it cracked, that wouldn't be covered." I agreed because the windshield is external of the vehicle, but the radiator is within the vehicle and should be protected enough to not have a rock punch through it. His only comment was, "Well do you want me to fix it or not" My response was "No, I will have to save up the money to get it fixed later on" We then hung up.
Needless to say after this call I was pissed, so I vented to the guys I work with and their response was, "Take it to another dealer" So I decided to call around, the next dealer I talked to said "As long as it hasn't been in a wreck you will be covered" So I made an appointment on the spot and it should be fixed early next week.
So my question is: Is this typical of Honda's? Is mine a fluke? Also is this typical of a dealer? (So far I love this car, Good response, Awesome gas mileage (38mpg average) and sweet looking. Got it all tinted out, the cops stare but never pull me over ) Any one else have these same issues? And what can I expect on this next appointment? (I'm hoping that it is fixed under warrantee)

Thanks
Mike

 
Rep Power: 283

Same thing happened to my friend's RSX, and he had to pay for it. Go look in the front scoop of your car and take a gander at the condenser. Hell, small bugs alone damage the hell out of it. I guess you could put a thick screen down there to help protect it but I'll just wait until something like that happens to me before I do.

Last week my windshield cracked in the lower passenger side, during the day while I was working. My windshield was parked away from the sun, under a tree, windows cracked, no rock chip or spidering and yet the dealer didn't want to fix it. I had to call the district manager and Honda to complain and finally they fixed it out of "good will". It's obviously a stress fracture from movement or metal hitting the windshield where it seats. They don't care. My new window creaks every now and again. If it happens again I'm going to be furious.

 
Rep Power: 0

Hey pickleing. The exact same thing happened to me last week and the dealer told me the exact same thing "It is not covered under warrantee". Your quote was better than mine, they told me $700 for the condenser and dryer. I think I am going to get a local AC shop to try and fix it.