NHTSA Complaint #10118796 — 2005 HONDA CR-V

I PURCHASED A 2005 HONDA CR-V IN MARCH OF 2005 AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE VEHICLE RESEARCH, VISITING TWO (2) DEALERSHIPS AND TEST DRIVING TWO (2) CR-VS. AFTER HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES, I NOTICED A CONSTANT PULL TO THE RIGHT (PTTR) AT ALL SPEEDS AND RATES OF ACCELERATION. DURING MY INITIAL RESEARCH ON THE CR-V, AS WELL AS POST-PURCHASE VISITS TO VEHICLE FORUM WEBSITES, I REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING TORQUE STEER. THE PTTR IS ONLY PRESENT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS ENGAGED MANUALLY OR VIA CRUISE CONTROL. THERE IS NO PTTR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS COASTING. THE DISAPPOINTING THING ABOUT THIS CONDITION IS THAT - DURING PURCHASE AND PRICE NEGOTIATIONS - I ASKED THE SALES PERSON AND SALES MANAGER ABOUT CR-V TORQUE STEER ISSUES DIRECTLY. THEIR RESPONSE TO ME, QUITE SIMPLY, WAS THAT THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ANY SUCH CONDITION. HOWEVER, POST SALES FOLLOW-UP BY THE HONDA DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS FAMILIARITY WITH REPORTS OF TORQUE STEER RESULTING FROM THE NEW V-TECH ENGINES. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS UNDERSTANDING OF MY FRUSTRATION, MADE NOTE OF IT FOR REVIEW AT THE VEHICLES FIRST MAINTENANCE. THIS CONDITION, ALTHOUGH NOT DANGEROUS IN MY VEHICLE, DETRACTS SIGNIFICANTLY FROM THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE, SHOULD NOT BE PRESENT AND SHOULD BE REMEDIED BY HONDA IMMEDIATELY.