NHTSA Complaint #11480126 — 2020 HONDA ODYSSEY

The “auto engine idle stop” system in my minivan is malfunctioning. This is a safety issue because the engine does not always restart when I take my foot off the brake. I am eventually going to be hit from behind by a driver behind me that assumes my minivan will accelerate from a stop when it is supposed to. Every time the malfunction occurs, the dashboard displays a message “Collision Mitigation System Problem”. However, I have been told by the dealership mechanics that this message is erroneous and that it is displaying because there isn’t a preset error message associated with the auto-engine idle stop malfunction. My minivan was 2 years old when I brought it to the dealership for repair the first time. That was in October-2021 and the dealership is Honda on Grand in Elmhurst, Illinois. I brought the vehicle to them on seven different occasions between October-2021 and now. Even though they were able to reproduce the problem, they say they don’t know how to fix it. So, they made minor repairs each time to different electrical and drive train systems in hopes that the malfunction will cease. After 10 months and 7 attempted repairs, my vehicle is still malfunctioning. The dealership instructed me to contact the corporate level Honda Customer Service Department, which I did on July 8, 2022. I was issued a case number and a customer service representative, Walter, to assist in resolving this problem. After many follow-up phone calls to them, they will not return my call to discuss my vehicle. I recently contacted the Elmhurst, IL dealership and spoke with the service manager, David Abraham, who said he would follow up with Walter. However, I still have not been contacted. I am very concerned for my safety and the safety of my two teenage children who are now driving my vehicle. This will undoubtedly lead to a collision if not repaired.