For a first posting, this one may take the prize: last week my 2007 RTS (assembly date of 8/06) with 297 miles on it was diagnosed with a major defect that utlimately has led to the need to replace the transmission. The reason as best I understand it (and I may be missing a detail or two) is that a tap plug for the transmission was missing a crush washer. This was a assembly line issue. As a result ATF was leaking. The service folks removed the original plug, but since it was torqued all the way in (which it should not have been had the washer been in place) the threads for the plug were stripped. Well, after they topped off the ATF fluid - since it had gone down 'measureably' - they determined that the threads were stripped when the replacement tap plug (which is a bolt) with the crush washer led to more severe leaking. They ordered a new transmission.

I determined that the transmission was leaking from day 1 (and I discovered it on the morning of day 5). For those that may benefit from reading this message, here is how I discovered the problem. I parked the truck over night on the driveway the day I got it. After that it had been in the garage. On day 5 I went to look under the Odyssey for another matter and I was wondering why there was a stain on the driveway under the front license plate. I don't know much about cars, but I do know that the license plates don't leak. A touch of the spot came up red. I then went to the truck and noticed red dots all over the garage floor, at which point then I noticed red drops hanging/collecting in pools from the bottom of the shinny aluminum transmission housing. My gut said that was not good. My brain told my mouth to say some nasty things.

Here is an interesting tid bit. It may be useful in the future if the dealership tells you that they don't look for things on new cars - be it leaking fluids or something else. the dealership is supposed to do a thorough check pre delivery. Honda makes the dealer give the buyer a booklet (included with the oweners manual, the quick start guide, etc.) that is a checklist for the dealer pre delivery. One of the items that has to be checked and signed off is that they place the vehicle on a lift and check for leaks...included in the list is the transmission. The dealership that sold me the vehicle was not the dealership to whom the vehicle was originally delivered, so I blame the dealership that got the truck from Honda, not the selling dealership. Well, I suppose the Honda QC folks in Alliston are to blame too.

I sure was disappointed as this is my 5th Honda and never had a problem like this. I guess the thing that really got me is that I did not look under the truck before I took delivery. I usually do a thorough check on a 'large' purchase like this, but I did not this time. Sure bet I will in the future. So, if you are planning to buy, my advice it to LOOK, TEST and LOOK. Trust, but verify.

In the long run things have worked out; I am not complaining, just sharing the info. The selling dealership has been very accomodating, and frankly I am not sure that had I bought another brand of truck that I would have gotten the results I did. Thanks for reading and I look forward to being a constructive contributor in the future.

Did they offer or did you bring up swapping for another new one? That really sucks and they should step up and should do even more for you (if you ask). Good luck and I hope the new tranny gives you no problems for many many miles.....Thanks for the info and tips.

One other tidbit that I did not have when I originally posted: the last 6 digits of the VIN are: 511827.

Well, I sort of laid out a case that was difficult to refute: I had evidence it leaked from the moment I took delivery (although I did not discover until day #5), and had I known that it was leaking from the get go, I would have declined and opted for another vehicle (or in my case, waited for one that was in my color that was en route). The sales manager was very nice, agreed with my position, but it took the rest of the day for him to get approval from within the dealership hierarchy. Also, I suspect they wanted service to fully investigate to make sure it was not something easy to fix before any commitments were made. So, by late afternoon the day I took in unit #1, I was told that a new, identical unit would be provided. By the time I got to the dealership to 'clean out' the defective truck, they had already cancelled the tags (they issue hard tags directly from the mortor vehicle department) and the new unit had coincidentally arrived from the factory right before I arrived. The new one does not appear to be leaking, but before I took delivery (the next day) the folks in service had it up on a lift 2x to verify no leaks! Apparently my defective truck must have been the case study of the month in service because when the new truck went up on the lift, 6 mechanics and the service manager were under the truck looking it over with me.

I never got ticked off with them as I felt screaming and yelling would help no one - and it never deterirated to that level. I was firm and consistent in my points with everyone I talked to at the dealership that day. I must say that I was pleased with how the dealership's sales and service folks handled this matter. They even admitted that the outcome was best for everyone. I should emphasize that it was the dealership that made the decison to accomodate me, so I am thankful for that.

I agree that looking under the vehicle before taking delivery is a great idea even though you would never expect a new vehicle to be leaking. As Beagle and I have traded some private messages regarding our transmission problems I will summarize the issue and resolution that I had.

The problem and correction listed by the dealer was "found tranny line leaking, tightened line an cleaned up area. replaced transmission seal and transmission case seal". The parts listed were two drain washers and 5 different oil seals. I have driven over 300 miles since getting it back last Friday and there are no signs of leaks.

As much as I was upset about this happening with a new vehicle, the dealer, Pacific Honda in San Diego, was very responsive to my questions and concerns and offered to detail my truck next week and recheck it for free.

Wow!! Beagle, sorry to hear you went through all that. At least the outcome was good. I'm also in Maryland and took delivery of my RL last Friday. No leaks noted to date but I will be under it this weekend to check things closer. Thanks for all of the information.

Hey Beagle. Sorry to hear about your problem. Would you name the dealership that treated you right so others like me that are in Maryland also can know who is a good dealer.

Thanks and congrats on your second RL.

Robert