NHTSA Complaint #11157190 — 2011 HONDA ACCORD

MY ENGINE MAKES A LOUD RATTLING SOUND FOR 2-3 SECONDS AFTER A COLD START-UP, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE CAR SAT OVERNIGHT. AFTER 2-3 SECONDS, THE SOUND GOES AWAY. ACCORDING TO HONDA TSB, THE VTC ACTUATOR IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. IF LEFT UNTREATED, THE TIMING CHAIN CAN BE STRETCHED WHICH LEADS TO REDUCED FUEL ECONOMY AND POSSIBLY OTHER ENGINE PROBLEMS. UP TO THE TIME OF THIS COMPLAINT, HONDA HAS NOT YET ISSUED ANY RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY HONDA DEALER QUOTED ME $680 TO REPLACE THE VTC ACTUATOR. MY VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED SO IF I WANT TO HAVE IT REPLACED, I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. I REALLY LOVE MY ACCORD. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY A BIG AUTO MANUFACTURER LIKE HONDA HASN'T DONE ANYTHING, GIVEN THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH HAPPENS TO MANY VEHICLES ALREADY.