[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img] In my experience, dealerships are as different as night and day with regard to service and orientation to customer satisfaction. The Honda dealer in my town has such a well-deserved and widely known reputation that when the local club wanted to buy 6 new Rubis, they used the good guy dealer 65 miles away. The distant shop is honest, courteous, knowledgeable, up front if they screw up, and above all, they want to do business with you. I wouldn't buy an oil filter from the local shop. You'd think Honda corporate would pay attention to such nonsense, since the shop and the products have the Honda name and reputation all over them. I'd also be interested in hearing how Honda customer service responds to this lengthy, detailed and well-documented letter. I'm betting they will make it right for you.

 

Actually i never sent one, the dealer got me set up with a new wheel and hub (still on order) and the bike is running flawlessly now. Only thing that is making me wonder is a loose sound in the front end when I hit rough sections at 40MPH but it runs perfect.

 

Latest problem found last week, around 7-10-01:
The loose sound and bad handeling caused me to jack up the front end and I found that the Drivers side A arm top mount bolt is loose and that I can push the top of the tire inward towards the radiatior about 3 inches, so I took it to the dealer today (7-15-01)and they found that the A arm bolt tore threw the frame mount hole and that I need a new frame, they said they should have a answer by next week sometime[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img].. after all these problems should I be ok with the fact that I will not have a quad for a month or two while they take my red Rubi apart and swap out the frame? should I get a new quad threw the lemon law? I am just not happy with the fact of paying $6,300 and not haveing a ride in the heart of rideing season and that my quad will be completley tore down and re-assembled just as my warrenty expires so it wont cover the oil leaks that are sure to follow. What do you all think?
Thanks, a stressed Joe

 

I feel your pain. It seems like you defintely have had some terrible luck with that quad. The only way you can have the Lemon Law apply is if they tried to fix the same problem 3 times and could not do it. That is how it is for vehicles.....I would assume it is the same for your quad.

Have you thought about having them give you an extended warranty free of charge due to the consistent problems your are experiencing? It sounds like you didn't send the letter because they realized they were at fault and then offered you the rim and tire.....might want to try the same tactic with the letter in order to get an extended warranty at no cost. Atleast you would have peace of mind to know that things are covered for the next 2-3 years.

 

Herd from the dealer today, Honda wants the entire frame and A-arm shipped to them complete...but i am looking until late next month before I get the quad back. I will bring up a extended warrenty tommarow, or maybe suggest shipping the complete unit back with a new quad as extange to bypass the labor of dismanteling mine[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Im sorry to hear about this.

I think this might be a certain number of quads. (lemons) Or possibly, a certain number of RUBIS in perticular.

We dont find to many problems with Hondas here on this forum. My 01' 400EX has been the tightest machine ive ever had. Not a squeek, nor a rattle. Ball joints, tie rods.... still tight like new.

Possibly a certain range of serial numbers are bad for some reason...
(happens somewhat often with cars/trucks)

-Matt (01' RED 400EX, 84' RED/BLK 200X)

 

JRM
Man you sure have had your share of problems. I would contact a lawyer and see just how the lemon laws work I don't know if they are different from state to state or if it is a federal law. This is to just be on the safe side not like you are going to sue them or anything but just so you know for sure.

RubiconLand
I have heard there was a time limit they could have your machine in the shop before they would classify it as a lemon. You might do as I said above and contact a lawyer. Depending on when you bought it in Nov. I have calculated that it has been in the shop for approximately 40% of the time that you have owned the machine that is if the 15 weeks is right (Nov. 3,2000 to July 20, 2001). That is a lot of time in my book but you need to check the laws to see if they apply to ATV also.

My dad just bought a Rubicon so now I am a little concerned about some of the little problems you have had. They will be checked the next time that I go to his house just to make sure that the problems don't turn into something bigger like some of your problems could. But like most people have said it sounded like a Dealer problem rather than a manufacturer. Except some of the plastic stuff that is all Manufacturer carelessness. I work in the service type job and I know if the quality and the service are not there you lose customers business, but if you are good at what you do and do it well you can even charge more and people won't complain a bit. Mistakes will happen but when they do you make that a #1 priority and get it fixed right away no questions asked just do it. I hope this helps.

 

hate to say it but the reason your 400EX is perfect is the same reason my XR's 200SX and all other hondas are perfect....the Rubicon is built in the US while all other models are built in Japan where quality control is much higher.

 

JRM, point taken. Makes perfect sence too, if that is right.

Same story with American automobiles compaired to Japan autos. (Honda and Toyota in particular)

 

Well, just got off the phone with both the dealer and the Honda number in the back of the manual.. The dealer said there is nothing they can do but fix the problem but replace the frame, They did offer to split the charges of a extended warrenty if honda pays the other half. After spending 33 Minutes of long distance on hold, Honda said its all up to the dealer and there is nothing more they can do to make all my problems right, After I read my letter to them the responce was "who installed the new oil cap O'ring and brake switch screw? i said, I did because it is a 105 mile round trip to the dealer and they said that that will VOID my warrienty even though the dealer handed me the O'ring and screw and I may have to pay for the frame swap!!!". He just short of laughed when I asked for a extended warrenty!! So this is where I stand:
1. Spent $6,300 on a honda quad that I will not be able to ride this summer!
2. Spent $6,300 on a quad that will not have a warrenty to cover future problems as 2 months of its 6 month warrenty was spent in the shop.
I can safeley say I am no longer a Honda man, as Honda has the WORST customer support I have ever seen and they DO NOT stand by there products! If they would buy back this quad Id buy the Kawi 650 in a second.
I will post updates and a re-vision of my letter as I cannot mention installing the O'ring.
thanks for lisening to my fume
joe