NHTSA Complaint #11186549 — 2016 HONDA HR-V

I LIVE ON A DIRT ROAD. WHEN THE ROAD IS WET, THE WHEELS COLLECT MUD AROUND THE REAR SURFACE WHILE DRIVING, THEN THE MUD SETTLES TO THE BOTTOM WHILE THE CAR IS STATIONARY, DRIES, AND THROWS THE WHEELS OUT OF BALANCE. SOMETIMES THE WHEELS ARE SO BADLY UNBALANCED THEY SHAKE VIOLENTLY ABOVE 50 MPH AND IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE SAFELY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS BEGAN HAPPENING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR NEW IN 2016. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO REMOVE, WASH AND REMOUNT THE WHEELS. THEY DID IT FOR FREE TWICE BUT THEN INFORMED ME THEY WOULD CHARGE ME EACH SUBSEQUENT TIME THIS SERVICE IS NEEDED. THIS PROBLEM IS OBVIOUSLY A RECURRING PROBLEM AND HAS REQUIRED REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I STOPPED GOING TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM OR SAFETY ISSUE. I CONTACTED AMERICAN HONDA AND THEY TOLD ME THE SAME, STATING THEIR WHEELS MEET ALL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. AS A FORMER AUTO MECHANIC, I BELIEVE UNBALANCED, SKIPPING WHEELS ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. SO, EVERY MONTH OR TWO, OR WHENEVER I NEED TO DO FREEWAY DRIVING, I HAVE TO JACK UP THE CAR, REMOVE THE WHEELS, POWER WASH THE DRY DIRT FROM THE BACK SIDES, AND REPLACE THEM TO ACHIEVE BALANCE AND GET THE VIBRATING AND BOUNCING TO STOP. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A CAR OR HEARD OF A CAR WHERE THIS IS A REASONABLE MAINTENANCE EXPECTATION THAT A MFR. OR DEALER EXPECTS AN OWNER TO TAKE ON. THIS HAS BEEN EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING, AND I BELIEVE THESE WHEELS ARE POORLY DESIGNED AND A SAFETY ISSUE.