What 379 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Honda Accord Plug In Hybrid

VTC ACUATOR IS FAULTY. FOR 2 YEARS NOW I'VE HAD A GRINDING NOISE WHEN I START THE CAR AND NO CAR SHOP HAS BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG UP UNTIL YESTERDAY I FOUND OUT IT'S THE VTC ACTUATOR THAT'S MAKING THE GRINDING SOUND AND IT'S BEEN DRAINING MY OIL. I CALL AMERICA HONDA TO SEE IF IT HAS A RECALL FOR THIS FAULTY PART AND ALL I AM TOLD IS THAT IF I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS OR UNDER 35 THOUSAND MILES THEN IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WHICH THE CAR IS 2012. SO THE $700 THAT ALL SHOPS WANT TO FIX THIS PART IS BEING PUT ALL ON THE OWNER WITH NO WARNING THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN. THIS HAS HAD A LAWSUIT BEFORE FOR THE EXCESSIVE OIL BEING LOST BUT NOT FOR THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WHICH IS THE VTC ACTUATOR. HONDA NEEDS TO RECALL ALL OF THE CARS THAT THEY HAVE SOLD WITH THE FAULTY VTC ACUATORS AND PAY FOR THIS MISTAKE THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT FOR YEARS. WHEN MY ENGINE DIES IT WILL BE ON HONDA FOR NOT PROPERLY MAKING AND SELLING THESE FAULTY CARS.

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE ROOF AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V661000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER (HONDA WEST, 7615 W SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89117, (800) 249-9504) ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL HIS INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,325.

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LEFT AND RIGHT TRANSAXLES WENT BAD AND STARTED VIBRATING AFTER 52K MILES ON VEHICLE VIBRATIONS FELT DURING ACCELERATION. NO VIBRATION WHILE COASTING.

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WHINING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND CONTINUED REGARDLESS OF THE CAR'S SPEED. CAUSE: POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING. INTERNAL DAMAGE TO POWER STEERING PUMP. POWER STEERING RESERVOIR HAD DEBRIS IN IT CAUSING THE FLUID TO AERATE. SOLUTION: HONDA DEALERSHIP MECHANIC REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RACK, POWER STEERING RESERVOIR AND POWER STEERING PUMP. NOTE: HAD BROUGHT CAR IN TO THE HONDA DEALERSHIP CONCERNING THIS SITUATION BACK ON AUGUST 4, 2017. RESULTS: MECHANIC FOUND THE POWER STEERING FLUID LOW AND PERFORMED A POWER STEERING FLUSH. HE ALSO STATED THAT POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP MAY HAVE OCCURRED. NOISE WAS GONE AFTER THIS SERVICE.

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THE STARTER OF MY 2012 HONDA ACCORD SPORT FAILED. MY CAR HAS 72500 MILES. HONDA HAS CLASSIFIED THIS A PREMATURE FAILURE CAUSED BY DEFECT, BUT HAS FAILED TO RECALL THE STARTER. THE STARTER THAT FAILED IS MADE IN THE UNITED STATES. THE STARTER FAILURE IS CAUSED MY CAR TO STOP RUNNING IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY CAUSING SERIOUS RISK. MANY HONDA CUSTOMERS HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH REPORTS OF STARTER FAILURE ON CARS WITH LESS THAN 30000 MILES. THE COST OF REPLACEMENT IS $800.00 AND HONDA HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR REIMBURSE THE COST OF THE FIX. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF 2012 - 2017 HONDA ACCORD CARS WITH SIMILAR DEFECTIVE STARTER PART CURRENTLY ON AMERICAN ROADS, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO FAILURES AND ACCIDENTS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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IN 2016 WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED MY 2012 HONDA ACCORD, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW VISIBILITY WAS (SLIGHTLY) DISTORTED AROUND THE DEFROSTER LINES. AT THAT TIME I WAS DOWNSIZING FROM A HONDA ODYSSEY, SO I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS JUST MY EYES PLAYING TRICKS WITH ME BECAUSE I WAS USED TO A LARGER REAR WINDOW WHERE THE DEFROSTER LINES WERE NOT SO CLOSE TOGETHER. THIS DISTORTION GRADUALLY GOT WORSE, AND AS OF JULY 2018, THE DISTORTION HAS COVERED THE ENTIRE WINDOW. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS SOMETHING WITHIN THE GLASS ITSELF SEPARATING AND CAUSING RIPPLES. THE WINDOW STILL HAS THE HONDA STAMP ON THE GLASS, SO ITS FACTORY TINTED AND INSTALLED, THIS ISN'T AN AFTERMARKET WINDOW AND IT.

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET I HEARD A LOUD NOISE (POP) I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DIDN'T SEE ANY VISUAL DAMAGE, SO I PRESSED THE BUTTON TO OPEN THE TRUNK AND THE TRUNK WOULD NOT POP OPEN, SO WHEN I LIFTED THE TRUNK THERE IS S BAR THAT WAS LAYING IN THE TRUNK, THE LITTLE WHITE PIECE THAT ROTATES THE BARS AND HOOKS THE BROKE SO THE TRUNK NO LONGER POPS UP WHEN TRUNK BUTTON IS PRESSED.

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I HAVE OWNED MY 2012 ACCORD LX-P MODEL SINCE 2013 THROUGH PURCHASE AFTER AN EXPIRED LEASE. IT IS A DEALER "CERTIFIED" VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM I HAVE RECENTLY ENCOUNTERED IS THE STRONG SMELL OF GAS TANK FUMES AFTER A FILL AND ALSO AFTER A LONG TRIP. THE ODOR HAS BECOME STRONGER IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR WHILE THE SMELL STILL LINGERS AT THE GAS CAP/FILL TUBE/ WHEEL WELL AREA. THE 2013 MODEL HAS THE SAME CONDITION AND IS NOTED AS A RECALL. MY MODEL WAS MANUFACTURED IN JUNE 2012. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THE PART AND OR MANUFACTURING PROCEDURE IS RELEVANT TO THE DEFECT IDENTIFIED IN THE ADJOINING YEAR 2013 MODEL. ALTHOUGH RECALLS ARE DECLARED THROUGH THE CORPORATE SOURCE, WE MUST EXPECT CONSUMERS TO BE ALERT AND REPORT THESE CONDITIONS. GAS VAPOR IS DANGEROUS AND UNWANTED FOR ANY DRIVER OR HONDA CUSTOMER. HONDA DECLARES SAFETY IS THEIR MOST IMPORTANT PARAMETER. I WANT THIS MODEL TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LISTING SINCE ACCORD RECALLS FOR GAS PROBLEMS ARE HISTORICALLY DECLARED IN THE PILOT, ODYSSEY ACURA(2015-2016), 2012 CIVIC AND 1983,1984,1985,1986,1987,2005,2013 ACCORDS. GAS RELATED ISSUES SHOULD BE THE UTMOST CONCERN FOR A MANUFACTURER AND THE HISTORICAL RELEVANCE OF THIS MATTER SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITH THIS CASE AS WELL. *TR

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TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND METAL SHRAPNEL STRUCK AND INJURED THE CONTACT'S FACE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN REGARDS TO THE TAKATA AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

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ENGINE GRINDS DURING COLD STARTUP. ENGINE NOISE PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER DURING DRIVING AND IDLING. HONDA WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND FINALLY ISSUED A FIX BUT MY CAR IS OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD THAT THEY'VE ADVERTISED. I FEEL CHEATED BECAUSE HONDA SEEMS TO HAVE WAITED UNTIL ENOUGH CARS WERE OUT OF WARRANTY BEFORE ISSUING A COSTLY FIX THAT THEY'VE KNOWN OF FOR CLOSE TO A DECADE.

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I WAS AT A STOP SIGN ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. I ATTEMPTED TO MOVE FORWARD TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. I COULDN'T STOP IT - BUT A TREE ABOUT 20 FEET AWAY DID. EVEN IF I HAD FLOORED THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE GONE THAT FAST THAT QUICKLY. I HAVE READ OF OTHERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE. HONDA JUST SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR.

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I WAS AT A STOP SIGN ON PRIVATE PROPERTY PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. I STEPPED ON THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR ACCELERATED IMMEDIATELY AND WENT VERY FAST. I COULD NOT STOP IT BUT A TREE DID. EVEN IF I HAD FLOORED THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR WOULD NOT HAVE GONE THAT FAST THAT QUICKLY. THE DISTANCE WAS ABOUT 20 FEET. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. I HAVE READ OF OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN TO THEM - PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE.

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TAKATA INFLATORS: THERE ARE CURRENTLY FOUR RECALLS FOR HONDA ACCORD 2012 FOR PASSENGER INFLATORS BUT FOR MY VIN THERE ARE NONE. MY VEHICLE WHICH ONLY HAS 39K MILES FAILED INSPECTION FOR MY SRS LIGHT. REGARDLESS OF THE MILLIONS OF AIRBAG RECALLS HONDA HAS DONE THEY REFUSED TO SCAN MY CAR FOR THE SRS CODE UNLESS I PAID THEM FOR IT. I WENT TO AUTOZONE AND HAD THE SCAN DONE FOR FREE AND GOT SRS CODE 32-10 "OPEN OR INCREASED RESISTANCE IN THE RIGHT SIDE AIRBAG INFLATOR". I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE NOW BECAUSE OF THIS AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE 1400 PLUS DOLLARS TO HAVE THESE ITEMS THAT SHOULDN'T BE DEFECTIVE IN THE FIRST PLACE REPAIRED. NOW I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MY VEHICLE IS ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST.

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THE AIR BAG ICON ON THE DASHBOARD COMES ON AND STAYS ON WHILE DRIVING; I CHECKED THE RECALL LIST FOR THE TAKATA RECALL, BUT MY VIN # ISN'T LISTED FOR THE CARS AFFECTED.

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2012 AND TO DATE HAVE HAD REPAIRS TO EITHER REPLACE OR RESURFACE ROTORS WITH NEW BRAKE PADS 3 TIMES NOW. IT'S UNREAL AND VERY COSTLY. CLEARLY THERE IS AN ISSUE AND HONDA SHOULD DO A RECALL, THAT'S EXCESSIVE. THE FIRST TIME WAS WHEN THE CAR WAS BARELY 2 YEARS OLD. WHO HAS TO REPLACE ROTORS IN A CAR THAT'S SO YOUNG AND I'M CONTINUING DOING IT. IT'S 2018 AND I'M UP TO 3 TIMES NOW AND ONLY AT 83,000 MILES. DEFINITELY NOT LIVING UP TO THE HONDA BRAND.

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PEELING OF FRONT BUMPER NEAR HOOD

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EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION, USING MORE THAN 1 QT OF OIL WITHIN 1,000 MILES.

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I WAS TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE91 IN VERMONT WHEN MY SUN ROOF EXPLODED, SHATTERING GLASS ALL OVER THE FRONT AND BACK SEATS AND FLOOR AS WELL AS COVERING ME. THE NOISE WAS DEAFENING AND I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING WHILE GOING ALONG AT A SPEED OF 69 MPH. I FEEL HONDA SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HAPPENING, BUT WHEN I CONTACTED THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE THEY TOLD ME THEY WAS NOTHING THEY WERE GOING TO DO TO HELP IF RAY THE COST!

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THE DRIVER SEAT IN MY 2012 HONDA ACCORD IS SO UNCOMFORTABLE THAT I NOW HAVE TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR MY NECK SHOULDER LOWER BACK AND LEG PAIN. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND TRY TO TAKE IT BACK 2 DAYS LATER BUT I CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR I OWNED A SATURN FOR 16 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS I WAS SITTING ON 3 INCHES OF FOAM RUBBER FOR MY BACK AND THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT BUT THE PAIN STILL PERSISTS. NOW I SIT ON PILLOWS AND THAT IS NO LONGER HELPING BUT I ALSO PUT MY LEFT FOOT ON THE SEAT OR UP ON THE DASHBOARD TO RELIEVE MY LOWER BACK. I KNOW IT IS THE CAR AS I HAVE USED OTHER PEOPLE'S CARS AND WHILE I STILL GET PAIN IT IS NOT AS SEVERE AS WHEN I AM IN MY HONDA FOR AT LEAST 20 MINUTES. DRIVING TO SEE FAMILY 75 MILES AWAY I HAVE TO TAKE TWO BREAKS. THE PAIN I HAVE PERSIST WHEN I AM OUT OF THE CAR BUT IT IS NOT AS SEVERE AS IT IS WHEN I AM DRIVING THE CAR. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS THROUGHOUT MY LIFETIME AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING AS BAD AS THIS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS BEFORE INCLUDING PHOTOGRAPHS OF MYSELF WITH MY LEG ON THE DASHBOARD, I HAVE COMPLAINED TO HONDA NEVER RECEIVED A RESPONSE.

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APPEAR (AIR BAGS OFF) LIGHT ITSELF SOMETIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 HONDA ACCORD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,802. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER WAS AWAITING PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WAS TAKING AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO RECEIVE THE PARTS. *JS

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2 JAN 17 WAS REAR ENDED. TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE FRAME WITH A REPAIR COST OF $7000. THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. 5 APR 17 WAS REAR ENDED AT A RED LIGHT. TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF TRUNK AND DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR COST OF $6700. AGAIN AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED

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THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL ACTUATOR MAKES A LOUD RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN THE MORNING FOR THE FIRST TIME. THAT IS THE ONLY TIME IT RATTLES; THE FIRST START OF THE DAY. THE MECHANIC SAYS IF THE ACTUATOR FAILS THE CAR WILL STOP WHEREVER IT IS. IF I'M IN TRAFFIC IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT; I LIVE IN THE GREATER LOS ANGELES AREA WHERE TRAFFIC IS USUALLY HEAVY WHICH COMPOUNDS THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY HONDA IS REPAIRING THE VTC ACTUATOR ON SOME HONDA ACCORDS, BUT MY VIN IS NOT ON THE FIX LIST, SO HONDA RECOGNIZES IT IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM, AND IT IS WIDE SPREAD ENOUGH THAT THEY ARE REPAIRING SOME HONDA ACCORDS WITH THE RIGHT VIN. THE INTERNET IS FILLED WITH HONDA ACCORD OWNER COMPLAINTS SO I KNOW THE PROBLEM IS HIGH IN NUMBERS. THE OFFICE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE OF CALIFORNIA REFERRED ME TO YOUR AGENCY AND ENCOURAGED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM DUE TO AN ENGINEERING MISSTEP IN PLANNING AND PRODUCTION. FURTHER I THINK IT POSES A SAFETY ISSUE FOR HONDA ACCORD OWNERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC IF THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS AS THE AUTO TECHNICIANS SAY IT WILL. I THINK HONDA RECOGNIZES THE PROBLEM, BUT ARE ADDRESSING IT IN A PIECE-MEAL FASHION RATHER THAN ISSUING A RECALL. I HOPE YOU CAN GIVE ME AND OTHER HONDA ACCORD OWNERS SOME RELIEF. THANK YOU

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TRAVELING ON A CITY STREET THROUGH AN INTERSECTION STARTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN MOVING ABOUT 20 MPH, MY RIGHT PASSENGER FRONT TIRE HIT A POTHOLE. THAT IS WHEN THE LEFT DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I FIND IT VERY DISTURBING THAT AIRBAGS WOULD DEPLOY IN THESE CONDITIONS, AS THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I HIT NOTHING, MEANING THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE BODY OF THE CAR, YET THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND FRIGHTENED ME TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO STOP IN THE INTERSECTION TO GATHER MYSELF BACK TOGETHER. HONDA TELLS ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS WITH MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE, BUT THERE ARE PLENTY NOTED WITH MY MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR, BUT JUST NOT WITH MINE IN PARTICULAR. I HAVE CALLED HONDA AMERICA AND PLEADED MY CASE WITH THEM AS WELL, AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO GO THROUGH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, WHICH I DO NOT THINK IS APPROPRIATE. THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECT IN WITH THIS VEHICLE FOR THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY AT SUCH A LOW SPEED WITH A POTHOLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE POTHOLE WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, YET THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOY. SOMETHING IS JUST NOT RIGHT WITH THE CAR AND HONDA IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING IT. I ALSO TOLD HONDA I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW, I FEEL THAT IF I HIT ANOTHER BUMP IN THE ROAD AN AIRBAG IS GOING TO DEPLOY. IT'S A SCARY SITUATION, BUT HONDA DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT IT. PLEASE BRING THIS CASE TO THEM, AS SOMEONE THERE IN UPPER MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO KNOW THAT THESE TYPES OF THINGS ARE GOING ON, AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE JUST DON'T SEEM TO CARE. THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED AND COVERED COMPLETELY BY HONDA, AS I DID NOTHING WRONG, BUT LEFT WITH A BIG MESS AND A BIG BILL TO CLEAN UP. PICTURES ATTACHED. THANK YOU.

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WE FOUND OUR CAR IN THE GARAGE WITH ALL THE WINDOWS WIDE OPEN INCLUDING THE MOON ROOF WINDOW. THE RED CIRCLE ALARM WAS FLASHING. I STARTED THE CAR AND THE ALARM WENT OUT. THEN ALL WAS FINE. WHAT COULD CAUSE THAT? AND COULD IT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING?

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