Nearly four months ago, I purchased a brand new Honda Civic on the Cash for Clunkers program. My main reason being, I didn't want to have to deal with the inevitable breakdowns and repairs that were probably coming on my old Clunker, although it was running great at the time.

Within the first two weeks, I had a hard time starting the Civic a few times. I was shocked, I'd expect this of the Clunker but not of a brand new Honda. But then it seemed fine, so I just passed it off as a fluke or "breaking in."

But when it did it again a month or so later, I called the Dealer and made an appointment to have it looked at. It was two months old had about 900 miles on it at the time. When I got it to the Dealer, they said the car started fine and the battery tested fine and since they couldn't detect any problem they couldn't fix anything and sent me away.

Three weeks later at 1200 miles the car made a terrible racket when I tried to start it and the whole car seemed to shudder. But a short while later, it was completely fine. I felt like I should take it back to the dealer but figured they would just send me away again since it was now starting fine.

Today at 1700 miles, the Civic left me stranded at the mall for awhile because it would not start for some time. I was about to call a tow truck and then it suddenly started up fine and is still starting fine.

Since it is still starting fine, the dealer will send me away again. But I have a car that is not really functionable because I feel like I now cannot trust it to get me back home! My Clunker was 13 years old with 140,000 miles on it and never failed to start! Any advice or suggestions appreciated.

 

As a dealer tech, I can assure you that we can't fix problems if we can't confirm the problem. I've had to send people on their way because I couldn't get the car to do what they were saying it does. I hate saying nothing's wrong, but it's better than guessing about a problem that I haven't even experienced.

Now, when you try to start the car and it doesn't start, does the engine sound like it's trying to turn over or is it not making any real "engine" type noises, but you can hear a series of rapid clicks?

 

When it does not start, does the engine "crank" and make the sound like it is about to start, or is it completely dead?

Intermittent problems are very difficult to cure. Often you have to wait until it gets worse so the problem can be found.

You have a couple of legal considerations. The most obvious one is the lemon law. In most states, after a dealer tries to fix the same problem on a new car three or four times and is unsuccessful, you can get your money back or the whole car replaced. Also they can't just wait for the warranty to expire, because if you first report the problem during the warranty period, it is covered, even if the warranty time or mileage goes by before they can finally fix it. Both of these require keeping careful records and all your receipts. I suggest keeping them somewhere other than the glove box of the car.

 

When it fails to start, the engine cranks but won't "turn over" or start. There are no clicking sounds. Thanks for the tip on the Lemon Law. When I took it in to the dealer before they didn't even want to record my visit in any way. I insisted they give me something in writing that indicated my complaint and the fact that I was there. But it was like pulling teeth to get it. I am considering trying another dealership soon.