How I got my third gear problem fixed.

[MAWG]

I have an O7 Si sedan and I had the third gear problem that everyone complains about--difficulty shifting into third, grinding when I let the clutch out after attempting to shift into third. I know how to drive a stick. I got a new '91 Civic when I was in college, I drove it like I stole it, and I put 155,000 miles on it and it still had the original clutch when I sold it.

Here is the short version:

Two dealers said they couldn't replicate the problem.

I wrote Honda a letter threatening to sue under my state's lemon law and sent it via certified mail.

They fixed my transmission with the following part:

23444-PMS-316, Gear Set, 23450.

Here is the long version:

My problem started at about 2,000 miles. The first time I took the car in, I got the transmission fluid change. This did not make any difference.

I took it to a different dealer several months later and left the car for a week. The dealer said it could not replicate the problem.

I wrote a letter to Honda Customer Service using a lemon law complaint letter I found on the Maryland Attorney General's web site asking that Honda fix my car or refund the purchase price.

A week later, I got a call from the Mediation Department at Honda corporate.

They set up a meeting/test drive at my dealer with Honda's regional parts and service manager. He drove the car with me and the problem did not occur. I left it at the dealer for four days and they were supposed to drive it every morning when it was cold. They said they could not replicate the problem and told me to come pick up the car.

While my car was at the dealer, the Fox news piece aired, and I think the Road and Track article mentioning the problem came out. Props to the guy who organized the protest.

I called the mediator and said that making me keep taking the car back and forth from the dealer when they know these transmissions are defective was extremely poor customer service. She said she would see what she could do and called me the next day and said that the dealer had been instructed to order the parts and fix the problem. The parts came 5 days later and it was done in one day. They even gave me a free rental car.

The repair order says "Replaced 3rd gear synchronizer."

The only part other than washers and fluid was part number 23444-PMS-316, Gear Set, 23450.

I'm sure it helped my case that (1) I am a lawyer and wrote them on my firm letterhead (2) I am a middle aged white guy ("MAWG") with no mods (unless you count my son's car seat as a mod) (3) I've bought 3 new Hondas in the last 5 years.

Honda never admitted anything. I spoke to the mechanic and he said that some of the parts for the transmission had been redesigned.

I'm not looking for business, so if you want to get a lawyer, look for one on findlaw.com or call you county's bar association.

If you want your transmission fixed, writing a letter and sending by certified mail will probably get you a lot further than signing a petition or posting a complaint in this forum.

[Szwaboski]

good info

[rp215]

Very nice! Hopefully Honda will finally admit to the problem and do a recall. I am sure that I am not the only one who is too busy to even get a haircut let alone go to Honda dealerships several times to try and get the problem fixed. On top of that, Honda let me purchase a car from them at 18 years old, yet my dealer won't give me a loaner car while they work on mine, because I am under 21. That is ridiculous.

I really am too busy to deal with school, work, and finding someone to drive me around while my car gets fixed. I am not that happy with this car purchase. I was 100% satisfied with the 2000 Acura Integra GSR that I purchased secondhand, with over 100,000 miles on the clock already.

[Zeuceone]

well since its a new part it should work fine till broken in. only time will tell if it actually fixes the problem for goood.

[DTNguyen107]

If Honda ever does a recall, think RSX-S will be involve?

[User_name:]

1st lawyer that i know of that drives a Civic =)

[Leonard1818]

LOL Nice story, way to take action

[BLouIsGod]

nice job

[alien-Si]

Originally Posted by User_name:

1st lawyer that i know of that drives a Civic =)

Jaja good one

[Special Ringpop]

Very nice work. I've thought about threatening Honda with a lawsuit, but I don't have the time or money to initiate that.

I've just been annoying them like a fly, and finally, it worked. They swapped my MTF (again) and told methey'd call me when the "fix" comes out.

[MAWG]

Originally Posted by User_name:

1st lawyer that i know of that drives a Civic =)

My kids kept spilling Cheerios in the Bentley.

[Si-aficionado]

Nothing wrong with being a lawyer and driving a Honda, but it was funny :)

Very nice job indeed MAWG. Thanks for the info and those parts numbers!