NHTSA Complaint #10210016 — 2000 HONDA ACCORD

I BOUGHT MY HONDA ACCORD THIS SEPTEMBER. IT HAD A REBUILT TITLE DUE TO MINOR DENTS AND BLEMISHES TO THE OUTSIDE. NO MAJOR WRECKS. LOOKED AND SEEMED IN GOOD CONDITION. DEALER ASSURED ME THAT ALL OF HIS CARS WERE INSURANCE CLAIMS DUE TO MINOR EXTERIOR WEAR. HE DIDN'T TAKE ANY CARS THAT HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN WRECKS. HE WAS AN "ENGINEER" AND DIDN'T NEED TO SCREW PEOPLE OVER FOR MONEY. I HAD MY MECHANIC INSPECT IT RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE IT HAD A 30 DAY RETURN POLICY, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. MY REGULAR MECHANIC SAID THE ENGINE WAS FINE BUT THERE WERE MINOR THINGS I NEEDED SUCH AS; NEW ROTORS, NEW TIRES, AND SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HIS SECRETARY SAID THESE WERE ALL OPTIONAL THINGS TO HAVE FIXED. 1 MONTH LATER...THE RADIATOR GOES BAD AND MUST BE REPLACED. MY REGULAR MECHANIC CHARGES ME $600.00 DOLLARS FOR THE PROCEDURE. I COMPARE PRICES AND FIND A BETTER PRICE FOR THE SAME RADIATOR. UNFORTUNATELY, MY REGULAR MECHANIC STILL CHARGES ME $70.00 FOR HIS OPINION. I GO TO THE CHEAPER PLACE, GET A NEW RADIATOR AND HAVE MY ROTORS REPLACED. SINCE ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER OWNING THE CAR I NOTICE THAT THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY. A $80.00 DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WAS PERFORMED AND NOTHING SHOWED UP. MY MECHANIC DIDN'T NOTICE IT WHEN HE DROVE IT. I STILL DON'T KNOW IF MY AIRBAGS WORK! A MONTH AFTER THAT..TRANSMISSION GOES BAD WHEN IN REVERSE. MAKES A TERRIBLE GRINDING OF METAL SOUND AND LURCHES WHEN PUT IN REVERSE. PROBABLY NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH I HAVE NO WAY TO PAY FOR. LUCKILY, IT IS ONLY A PROBLEM DURING THE COLD AND/OR WHEN I FIRST START THE ENGINE. IM VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY CAR AND MYSELF! BECAUSE I'VE HAD 3 DIFFERENT PEOPLE ASSURE ME THE CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE, ONLY TO FIND OUT ABOUT OR HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM OCCUR. I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN MY MYSTERY CAR! I BOUGHT A HONDA AFTER BEING A LOYAL TOYOTA CUSTOMER BECAUSE I THOUGHT THEY HAD THE BEST REPUTATION FOR LONG LASTING VEHICLES. I'M THINKING I MADE A MISTAKE. PLEASE HELP LESSEN MY WORRIES. *TR