NHTSA Complaint #10401753 — 2008 HONDA ODYSSEY

VEHICLE BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT LOW SPEEDS (1-5 MPH) AND BEGAN MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN WHEEL WAS TURNED ALL THE WAY LEFT OR RIGHT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DRIVER IS NOT EXPECTING TO SUDDENLY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY TURNING THE WHEEL. I COMPLAINED TO HONDA SERVICE CENTER WHERE THE SERVICE ADVISOR CLAIMED HE COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEM. HOWEVER, MY RESEARCH LOCATED THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN (10-076) AND MANY, MANY, REFERENCES ON VARIOUS FORUMS, SHOWING THAT HONDA IS CLEARLY AWARE OF THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, SINCE THE PROBLEM HAS GENERALLY OCCURRED OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY COVERAGE, HONDA HAS ESSENTIALLY ESCAPED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS UNLESS/UNTIL CUSTOMERS INDICATE THEY WILL COMPLAIN. UPON MY THIRD VISIT TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE ADVISOR "NOTICED" THE PROBLEM AND COVERED THE REPAIR UNDER OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY.