2004 Honda City from Bangladesh - Comments

I am a Resident of the United States of America and a frequent visitor of Bangladesh. Last year I purchased a Honda City from your authorized dealer in Bangladesh. There are many manufacturers of cars in Bangladesh as well as in the other countries, however I have or should I say, had a liking for Honda. In the USA I have been driving Honda for the last twelve years, so are many of my friends, I was satisfied with its quality and its after purchase sales service. This wonderful memory with Honda USA drove me towards the Honda dealer in Bangladesh to purchase a brand new Honda City with cash, here I must emphasize the point is that in Bangladesh overwhelming majority of the population purchase Toyota and Nissan, unfortunately Honda does not have a good market. Even under these circumstances and knowing the fact that Honda in Bangladesh does not have a good resale value, we purchased the Honda City; I think it adequately portrays my loyalty towards Honda. With utter sadness and disappointment I have to tell you that my experience with Honda in Bangladesh was nothing, but a total horror to say the least.

I went to the Honda Dealer in Bangladesh, along with my parents, we picked the car, we paid the money and then once we took possession of the car the sales person told us that once in a while if we see that the Motor Oil level in the car has increased beyond its normal level, bring in the car and we will adjust it for you. We were surprised, we asked him why didn’t he mention this before, his answer was “then I won’t be able to sell cars”, and the key person from the Engineering stated that “the Management does not inform us when they bring defective product”. Is this the way a Global company, a reputable company which stands for excellence conducts its business!!!

Since returning to the USA I have contacted Honda Tokyo to investigate the matter by its own people. They have been responding to my mails, however in their last e-mail they told me that as Bangladesh is quite far from Japan they are having difficulty getting response from their exclusive dealer in Bangladesh. This is unbelievable.

To this day we had to change the Motor Oil every 200KM or less, in some cases the level increased by several notch in a matter of days, this is no way we can continue to drive a brand new car and when the car is a Honda, it is supposed to stand out as a product of excellence. I went to the dealer numerous times, my parents have written them letters, but all this effort went in vain. At this point I am so mad at the situation that it is reminding of the situation at Mitsubishi Motors, when some executives intentionally concealed their vehicle problems and misled the customers, it also reminds of Firestone tires, these two companies are at the brink of disaster in the US market because some of their employees or agents representing the companies were not honest with the customers.

I would like Corporate Honda to take drastic measures to fix this problem for me and for all 24 affected customers. The issue must not drag on any longer; the independent car reviewers should conduct its own investigation on Honda’s quality control in the overseas market especially in Bangladesh. One must address the issue and do the due diligence to find out the root cause of the problem, one of my concerns is that whether the Bangladesh dealer brought defective cars and sold those cars to us for bigger profit margin.

Honda should take this matter seriously and have a press release if the cars not defective. By taking swift action Honda might win back loyalty of its very unsatisfied customers.

Regards,

Tanvir Raquib

e-mail: t.raquib@comcast.net.

Honda stand for quality and excellence, I am utterly shocked and surprised to find myself in this situation.

I'm as surprised as you are about this problem. I've always loved Hondas, and they've always done well by me. Had you bought this car in the States, I feel you wouldn't have run into the same problems with the dealer. But, because this sale took place in Bangladesh, I'm not so sure the same laws apply. Or if similar laws even exist. I DO, however, think it unconscionable that Honda used the excuse it was unable to get in touch with its Bangladesh dealer. In this day and age? With email and cell phones? Something's rotten in Denmark.

I have been in contact with Honda Customer Relation Center:

What you have said is correct, one of my lawyer friends from New Jersey told me that as the purchase was done in Bangladesh, the US court of law does not have jurisdiction. However, from a Public Relations perspective for Honda which is a Fortune 500 company, this is a terrible event. I still believe if the right people in Honda Japan comes to know about the issue, they will get to the bottom of it. There is a Gulf of difference in customer service between a Honda dealer in the USA and the exclusive Honda dealer in Bangladesh. I have nothing, but happy memories with the Honda Accord I have been driving in the USA, even the after sales customer service in the USA by my dealer has been excellent. That is why I am deeply disappointed and shocked by my experience in Bangladesh. Please note that these Honda City are manufactured in Honda's plant in India, this could be another case study for the MBA students, just by outsourcing can a Global company maintain control over its world wide operation and quality control?

Take care

Tanvir.

As a Bengali American, I am simply appalled by Honda motor’s selective quality control. It is utterly wrong to think that non western countries do not expect or cannot get the same levels of attention to details as the western countries. This is a bad business decision as well as bad publicity and Honda has no one to blame, but their own selves. I wonder if the upper management of the corporation is aware how their local representatives are tarnishing their image they worked so hard to build. You can bet if Honda ever lets their quality go down the drain they will lose the stronghold in their industry. Toyota…here I come.

Wow, this is pretty shocking. I always viewed Honda to be at the pinnacle of its industry. Now it seems that they are just out to make a fast buck at the expense of quality that has traditionally been synonymous with Japanese engineering. Does anyone know how Toyota is rated in Bangladesh??

Toyota owns Bangladesh market, only recently Nissan started to grab some market share, one of the reasons Nissan is increasing the market share might be because the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh is the exclusive dealer of Nissan in Bangladesh. Nissan also has very good after sales service and a brand recognition, people find Nissan as the number one competition for Toyota, on the other hand consumers in Bangladesh shy away from purchasing a Honda. People like me who have driven a Honda in foreign countries have a bias towards Honda even though in Bangladesh Honda has poor resale value compared to Toyota and Nissan, and the Honda parts are very expensive. People like me are like the loyal Apple computer users, we were pleased with Honda, therefore we want to buy Honda again and again. I drove my old Accord more than 200,000 miles, my friend drove his Civic more than 200,000 miles, how could I have thought that Honda in Bangladesh might be different!!! Now I think we made a terrible decision by buying that Honda City in Bangladesh, most of my friends in Bangaldesh were telling me to buy a Toyota or Nissan. I am very disappointed that to this day Honda has not resolved the matter, why is it so difficult for Honda to find out whether my Honda City and several other Honda City like ours have the defective engine!!! Until this issue is resolved I will keep the readers informed so that they do not face similar situation in anywhere in the world.

Regards,

Tanvir.

Dear Tanvir.

Before I start writing this email message, I would like to introduce my self. I am the owner and CEO for an Automotive repair shop located here in Dallas, Texas. We are specialized in BMW, Mercedes, and Honda cars in the repair and maintenance fields.

I was reading your message that was posted on the Internet and I was totally disappointed and surprised with Honda's quality of customer service. In addition, it looks to us that the dealer in Bangladesh is NOT willing to take the initiative to fix this problem. However, the problem is very simple. The oil path goes from the oil screen located in the oil pan all the way to the cam shaft at the top of the engine through the oil lines. This is done by an oil pump operated mechanically. Because of gravity, the oil will drop down back to the oil pan and the cycle of oil is completed. Just would like to mention here that there is an oil pressure switch located at one of the oil lines to make sure that the oil pressure exists. Other wise, the oil light in the instrument panel will be turned ON. In addition, there is an oil filter to filter the oil. That's it.

Now, if the oil level is decreasing, then you have an oil leak some where. If the oil level is increasing, this means that the oil is getting mixed with the water some how. Do you know what that means? This means that you have a head gasket problem, or cracked head or cracked block. In other words, you need a new engine. I can't believe that a dealer can sell his customers a bad engine.

Other than what I mentioned previously, there is nothing else that has anything to do with the engine oil. For example, fuel quality, transmission oil, power steering, etc. don't have anything to do with the engine oil.

Wish you good luck and hopefully your issue will be solved. In the mean time, please don't hesitate to contact our professional technician team should you have any question.

Regards,

Amajd Babaa

CEO, XPRESS AUTO

Texas, USA

(972) 414-9009.

Here is an important news how a similar situation is handled and should be handled: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12645516/

"WASHINGTON - DaimlerChrysler AG said Friday that it was recalling about 45,000 Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum sedans for repairs to prevent brake fluid leakage that could lead to engine compartment fires."

My question to Honda is, after repeated e-mails what actions have they taken, is there a safety hazard due to the problem in my Honda City? There are at least 24 other customers like me who might be at risk.

What does Honda have to say about this?

Regards,

Tanvir Raquib.

Here is the email I sent to coporate Honda today as I being pressured to drop this matter:

I am formally informing you that the dealer has basically asked me to back off from pursuing this matter as this might negatively impact their business, my family in Bangladesh is requesting me to drop the matter. This is not how the matter is going to get resolved, your dealer in Bangladesh should try to solve the root cause and not put pressure to silence the complaints. Unfortunately Bangladesh is a not a country like USA, a regular citizen like me in the USA is the source of power, in case of Bangladesh citizens like me are always deprived of our constitutional rights. I have lived in the USA for 16 years, this country has taught me to stand up for my constitutional rights. Ultimately Honda Japan will be responsible for all outcomes of this matter, therefore Honda Japan should take the leading role to investigate and close this chapter once and for all.

I have copied the US Embassy in this mail, I will inform other US agencies as well.

All, please visit the below link in the internet where I have posted my complaint, you can also see few comments from other readers:

http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_89142.html.

Regards,

Tanvir Raquib

VP, International Business Development

MidAtlantic International

www.midatlanticinternational.com.

Thanks Mr Tanvir for your post. Have you gone DHS Motors? Actually, Toyota has good market in Bangladesh. Now a days Honda accord, Civic and Nisan sunny and Maruti suzuki is increasing. Maruti, actually it is small car and in city area people prefer small cars because most of our roads are very narrow. It is also true honda parts are not available. One Lucky motors sells parts for honda, but, too expensive. I have one Honda Integra. I wanted to find preston, but, could not get it. I even don't know any good technician about Honda cars. Moreover that, I have found Honda tools different than toyota. Most of the workshop keeps toyota tools for fixing toyota car.

This is quite shocking revelation regarding Honda's corporate action or inaction on a legitimate issue. I am almost decided on getting a Honda City early next year and this issue will have to be part of my investigation prior to acquiring one here in the Philippines. I haven't heard any complaint of this type from colleagues who own a Honda, but this one is surely an eye-opener.

I am not surprised at the behavior of Honda dealer in Bangladesh. Their motto is to rip-off people during day light. Here couple of suggestions for you. You need to investigate the problem yourself. As you stated that the oil level is increasing that means some other fluid is getting in to oil tank.

I would suggest change oil and then monitor closely and observe the color of oil in 200KM. If the color is changed then you know something got mixed. If the color is milky white, it means it is mixing with radiator fluid. This will indicate the head gaskets are cracked. I imagine this has manual gears not an automatic.

Good Luck,

Munir.

Dear Tanvir,

I thank you for taking your time for sticking to this matter for so long. Me, a resident in Bangladesh has just been to DHS motors (Honda dealer in Bangladesh) couple of days ago and selected a brand new honda city 2006 model to purchase for 15 lacs. Just out of curiosity I started browsing through the net and found your comments regarding Honda city.

Now I have serious doubts over Honda Bangladesh. Though the new Honda City looks great, if this is the situation of their after sales service, Sorry sir, I am backing off.

Shuvo

Dhaka

Bangladesh.

Dear Munir and Shuvo.

I have written numerous emails to Honda Japan as well, they do not answer one simple question, whether the engine is defective. It is very easy to find out from the serial number whether the engine is defective, when Honda avoids answering this particular question, it makes a consumer like me frustrated. I do not have any qualm with the workers of DHS motors, they simply follow orders from the Management, question is where does the buck stop, either the Management of the DHS motors or Honda Japan should publish a press release on the matter. I have written an article on consumer rights in Bangladesh, I will try to publish it in a newspaper if any one of them is willing to publish it. There are so many consumers like me, they all should try to find out what is the actual problem in their vehicles.

Thanks

Tanvir.

Unfortunately this issue is still unresolved. As the political situation in Bangladesh has changed, I will urge the present administration to investigate the matter, I would also ask them to find out why DHS motors contacted us to back off from pursuing this matter. Lastly, this week I am going to ask the Japanese embassy in Bangladesh, why a Japanese company is acting like bunch of yahoos in Bangladesh, could they have behaved in this manner in the USA, I am sure the answer would be an emphatic NO. It is a shame that Honda has not yet taken care of its customers, it is a shame that Honda has not taken any initiative what-so-ever to get to the bottom of the issue.

Regards

Tanvir.

I think this is a comment that all prospective buyers of Honda City should be aware of. I almost decided for a Honda City recently, but was advised against it. Now I am going for another car.