Rep Power: 0

I don't know if anyone can help me or if someone has some mechanical knowledge that might provide me with some help.

I have a 2004 Honda Civic Value (DX, I think). I bought it via Honda's pre-certified used program last July.

The car has been running fine with no known problems.

I had my oil changed last Friday and the oil change guys advised me that the front engine mount was cracked completely through. I saw it and they were able to spin the engine mount completely around 360 degrees.

They also mentioned that there was something wrong with my transmission.

I took it to the Honda dealer (this is supposedly under warranty). My engine mount is, as they told me, cracked through, and the transmission case is cracked.

Honda doesn't believe that they should have to pay for the damage and are sending out inspectors to look at my car.

I haven't been in any accidents, but have been living through Chicago's horrendous pothole season.

I don't recall having any pothole incidents that would have been severe enough to do this kind of damage. I talked to my (non-Honda) independent mechanic and he said that there would have been damage to the suspension before there were would have have been damage to the transmission.

They've had my car since Saturday and have been jerking me around about whether or not they're going to pay for the repairs.

Can anyone tell me if this sort of repair is something that I could have done to the car in my normal driving?

I don't want to be dishonest with the Honda people, but I find it very, very difficult to believe that I could damage the engine mount and transmission from going over a pothole without noticing.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Susan

 
Rep Power: 313

okay the engine mounts go bad pritty quick on the 7th gen civics.

but the tranny case crack i cant belive...

iv hit a curb going 45MPH and broke 2 engine mounts, lower control arm, and my suspention. never broke my tranny case.

can you take a pic of the crack?

Some other members may have the phone number to honda america you might want to give them a call...

 
Rep Power: 0

yeaa what he said ^^
if in the unjust situation you end up paying for motor mounts, i suggest you buy Polyurethane ones

 
Rep Power: 0

Thanks very much for your help.

I've talked (for the third time today) to the dealership. They're replacing the engine mount at no cost to me and acknowledging the failure there, but Honda is refusing to authorize payment on the transmission.

The service guy is going to try to work with the dealership to get them to pay for it, because they think that this is old damage and was probably done by the person who owned the car before me and shouldn't be my responsibility.

I'll try to get some photographs of the transmission when I go over there today. The service guy said he'd take me out to look at the transmission.

Susan

 
Rep Power: 291

How could Honda certify and sell a car with a cracked transmission?

 
Rep Power: 313

my next question^

 
Rep Power: 0

I wish I knew.

I honestly haven't done anything to the car myself other than drive over a few potholes. Everyone I've heard about that had car damage from potholes had it to the axle or the rim of the tire or the tires. Not the transmission.

I really think that the transmission probably got cracked because the engine mount had failed and the engine was shifting in ways in shouldn't.

But I'll have to see what it is when I go there tonight.

It really bothers me about the certified thing. Especially since now that I've done some research into it, I realize that I had noted some warning signs about the motor mount but didn't realize what they were. *sigh* I'm not much of a car person, unfortunately. And I didn't think there should have been any problems after having the car for less than a year.

I think what the deal is is that Honda is refusing to pay, but the technicians think they should be paying, which is why they're pushing the dealership to do it instead.

Susan

 
Rep Power: 313

is it an auto?

hate to say it but, if the crack isnt that bad or isnt leakin any tranny fluid...

id leave it alone save a buck...

 
Rep Power: 291

You shouldnt have to notice any warning signs about anything in a HONDA certified car. You pay and arm and a leg for HONDA to figure out the problems and if there are too many then they wouldnt sell the car. My first impression on this one is Honda blew it and they had best pay for the transmission.

 
Rep Power: 228

^^Exactly! If they don't and you have technicians saying that they should pay for it and they still don't, take them to court.




Wagner

 
Rep Power: 0

Is this bum transmission-deal a trend in these Civic?

I bought a 2004 Civic with 60,000 miles on it. The first time I drove it, I noticed trouble with reverse, so I emailed my sales person, and he told me that it was a "safety device" in the clutch/shifting that I had to get used to. Now, months later, I finally got the dealership to pay for a diagnostic at another dealership, and I find out my transmission is shot... but the dealership is telling me that I'm "beyond the lemon law," and they're refusing to take responsibility for the repairs.

I seriously don't want to end-up in court over something that is so completely obvious, but it is beginning to look like that's my only route, as the dealership is pretty-much ignoring me at this point.

Any thoughts? How is that tranny problem working out for you, with the cracked case?

 
Rep Power: 0

Any following of your situation? Did you finally go to the court? how did you end this problem?

 
Rep Power: 193

3 year old thread so I doubt he's still around.

If your having trouble getting into reverse that's how these cars are, nothing to worry about.

When mine won't go in reverse I just shift to a forward gear and then back to reverse (without releasing the clutch). Sometimes I have to do it a few times but I can always get it in gear without much effort.