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					2719 Preston Drive
					Mountain View, CA  94040
					(415) 964 - 1555



American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
P. O. Box 80
Gardena, CA  90247

Dear Madam or Sir,
.END

	I am writing because I received unacceptable service from
one of your Honda dealers.  I am seeking clarification of the terms
of your new car warranty, justification for the dealer's behavior,
and information about where I can find a reliable dealer in the
vicinity of my home.

	I purchased a 1985 Accord LX 3-door from Huntington Honda,
Elwood, NY  11731, in late April 1985.  I had plans to move from
New York to California, and decided to buy a new car to help insure
a trouble-free journey.

	I was concerned about the conditions of the American Honda
New Car Warranty.  Huntington Honda assured me that the warranty was
"nation-wide" and that I would have no problems receiving warranty 
service in California.

	The car performed beautifully all the way across America,
but developed three problems by the time I reached my destination:
1)  the instrument panel produces a buzzing noise at highway speeds,
2)  the brakes make a squealing noise when stopping at slow speeds,
and 3)  during deceleration the car makes a coughing, backfiring-like
sound.

	I recently brought my car to Larry Hopkins Honda, Sunnyvale, CA  94087,
when the car was still within the time and mileage limits of the
warranty.  However, I was informed by the Hopkins serviceman, Mr. George
Loughran, that
any items in need of repair or adjustment that should have been
inspected by the Honda dealer that sells the car is not covered 
under the warranty at Hopkins Honda.  In other words, because American
Honda already paid Huntington Honda for the inspection time, Hopkins
Honda could not claim the labor time as warranty work because the 
inspection had already been performed by another dealer.  Therefore,
Hopkins Honda concludes, the cost must be covered by the customer.

	I found this to be a remarkable display of logic.  My response
to the serviceman was that how American Honda handles its accounting
is of no concern to me, and that my repair costs should be covered
under the conditions of the "nation-wide" warranty.  Mr. Loughran further
informed me that this has always been the policy of American Honda
since the company was started, and "that's just the way it is."

	Could this be true?  Has this in fact always been American
Honda's policy?  Does the "nation-wide" warranty contain such a clause?

	Mr. Loughran prepared a work order, estimating the cost to me
to be forty eight dollars.  I left the car over night, and told Mr. 
Loughran that I wanted the car to be inspected,
and that no work should be performed until he had spoken with me
and I had approved the job.

	I phoned Mr. Loughran the next morning and was informed that:
1)  the instrument panel was realigned at no cost, 2)  the brakes were
glazed, and cleaned by the mechanic at a cost of twenty four dollars,
and 3)  the car was tuned correctly and that the deceleration noise was
a "normal lean popping" noise.  I did not want to pay for the work because
I had not approved it;  Mr. Loughran's reply was that "someone has to pay
for the mechanic's time."  I insisted that my warranty was still valid and
that I should not have to pay for the labor time.  Mr. Loughran quickly
referred to the owner's manual, which states that brakes may make a noise 
under normal operating conditions.  Hence, normal wear and tear repair time
is not covered by the warranty, and thus I must pay the bill.  At this point
I decided that I was not going to receive any further assistance from Mr.
Loughran, so I paid the bill in order to get my car back and be on my way.

	During my ride home, I discovered that the brakes were still squealing,
and the instrument panel still made noises.  In addition, I noticed that
the car was idling roughly.  Overall, I spent twenty four dollars and my
car was in worse shap than before I went to Hopkins Honda.  I turned
around and went right back to Hopkins.  I complained that I still had the
same problems.  Mr. Loughran (not the mechanic) stuck his hand into the
engine and increased the idle rpm to make the car idle more smoothly.  
Mr. Loughran dismissed the brake problem because the owner's manual said
it was normal.  And as for the instrument panel noise problem, Mr. Loughran
responded that he had "never heard a Honda that didn't make a noise."
I brought up the "normal lean popping" noise again, stating that I had
never heard of a car making a normal noise like that.  Mr. Loughran 
responded with the question:  "Have you ever heard a Honda that didn't?"



	A few days later I began a thorough cleaning of the interior
of my car.  Upon removal of the rear seat, I found the check-list
for the pre-delivery inspection.  What appears to be an invoice slip 
was still attached to the check-list, which had not a mark on it.

	Is this proper treatment and service for an over-eleven-thousand
dollar investment?  Certainly not.  When friends asked how satisfied I was
with my new car, I would say "very."  Now, my answer is "not at all."

	Mr. Loughran's final suggestion to me was to go to another dealer.  In
a few months, my car will require its 15,000 mile service, and to be 
sure, I will not return to Hopkins Honda.  And at this rate, I cannot see
myself returning to Honda in the future for the purchase of a new car.

	I would appreciate a response clarifying American Honda's
warranty policy, and an explanation of the "normal lean popping" noise.
I feel I deserve to have my instrument panel fixed correctly at no cost.
I also feel that I should not have to pay to have my brakes repaired,
but if I must, the least the dealer could do is actually fix them.
It is obvious that my car never received its proper
pre-delivery inspection, and now my car and I are suffering the
consequences.  I still have the same problems as before I went to 
Hopkins Honda, and soon my warranty will have expired.

					Sincerely,
.skip 3
					Jonathan Gordon