NHTSA Complaint #10207488 — 2005 HONDA ODYSSEY

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE 2005 HONDA ODYSSEY WITH ABOUT 15 K MILES. IN JUNE WE NOTICED LOSS OF THE AC SYSTEM. UPON A VISIT TO LOCAL HONDA DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT A ROCK/ROAD DEBRIS PUNCTURED THE AC CONDENSER AND THE REPAIR ESTIMATE RUNS ABOUT $ 700.00. IN A PROCESS OF CALLING 5 OTHER LOCAL HONDA DEALERS TRYING TO GET A BETTER PRICING, I LEARNED THAT MY CASE IS NOT THAT RARE AS IT MAY SOUND. I WAS TOLD THAT ON AVERAGE THEY REPLACE ABOUT 2-3 AC CONDENSERS A MONTH. THEN I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MUCH MORE ODYSSEY'S OWNER WITH IDENTICAL STORIES. MY ISSUE IS THAT 2005-2007 ODYSSEY HAS A DESIGN FLAW - TOO BIG OPENING UNDER THE BUMPER THAT ALLOWS ANY ROAD DEBRIS TO PENETRATE AC CONDENSER AND/OR RADIATOR. I AM FIRM BELIEVER THAT HONDA ACKNOWLEDGES THAT PROBLEM BECAUSE 2008 ODYSSEY HAS A VERY NICE, FACTORY INSTALLED SCREEN MESH UNDER THE BUMPER WITHOUT ANY SIGNIFICANT BODY UPGRADES FOR THAT YEAR MODEL. I CALLED THE REGIONAL HONDA CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER BUT THEY DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR