Both Sides of the Issue
Their Legal Position
Warranty Expiration
The power tailgate component warranty had expired based on mileage and time. Legally, the dealer is not obligated to cover out-of-warranty repairs.
Customer Modification Clause
By removing interior panels before presenting the vehicle, I performed work on it myself. Their position is this affects their ability to provide a clean assessment.
No Official 2023 Defect Designation
The class action covers 2018–2021 models. Without Honda corporate acknowledging a defect in 2023 models, the dealer claims no official basis for goodwill coverage.
Corporate Claims Process
Their position is that manufacturing defect claims outside warranty must be escalated through Honda corporate, and that process was the customer’s responsibility to initiate independently.
Honest assessment: From a narrow legal standpoint, the dealer may have technical grounds to decline. The warranty had expired, and I did open the panels myself. This is why I am documenting — not litigating.
Their Official Written Response (April 2026)
“We escalated your concern to our District Parts & Service Manager (DPSM), who reviewed the images and details provided.”
“Based on that review, because the vehicle was disassembled and electrical components were taken apart prior to inspection, Honda cannot provide warranty assistance for the necessary repairs.”
“Because the vehicle was not presented in its original, factory-assembled condition, warranty coverage cannot be applied to restore normal function.”
“At this time, we are more than willing to work with your insurance company to assist in getting your vehicle back to proper working condition.”
The Ethical Argument
Manufacturing Defect, Not Wear
A 3-year-old vehicle should not have this level of corrosion. In my opinion, the evidence points to a systemic manufacturing defect — the same one documented in the 2018–2021 class action — not normal component aging.
Inspection Did Not Cause the Damage
Removing panels to look at a component is not the same as causing damage. The rust and corrosion existed before I opened the panels. Looking did not create the problem. I simply discovered what was already there.
Reasonable Owner Behavior
When a component fails outside warranty, most people investigate before authorizing expensive repairs. Had I known this was a body defect rather than a simple actuator failure, I would not have opened anything myself.
The Dealer-Customer Relationship
When I purchased this vehicle from Pohanka, they earned a commission. That relationship should mean something when systemic issues emerge. I should not have to fight Honda corporate alone — that is part of what buying from a dealer should be worth.
The core issue: Legal protection and ethical responsibility are not the same thing. Just because a dealer can refuse does not mean they should. The facts speak for themselves.
The Bigger Picture
This situation raises questions that affect any car owner, not just Honda Odyssey owners:
Who bears the cost when manufacturing defects emerge after warranty expiration?
Warranties are time-limited, but defects can take years to manifest. A car owner who purchased in good faith should not be expected to absorb the full financial consequence of a manufacturer’s quality failure.
Should self-inspection invalidate a legitimate manufacturing defect claim?
Removing panels to diagnose a component failure is standard practice. Penalizing transparency and curiosity discourages the very behavior that uncovers systemic problems. Without owners like me looking, these defects remain hidden.
What happens when a class action does not cover newer model years?
The 2018–2021 lawsuit does not cover 2023 models — but if the same underlying defect persists into newer production, those owners are left without class-action recourse. This is a structural gap in consumer protection that deserves attention.
Related: 2018–2021 Honda Odyssey Class Action
A class action lawsuit was filed against Honda for 2018–2021 Odyssey models experiencing water intrusion through failed body seam adhesive. Key points:
- Issue: Body panel seam adhesive fails over time, allowing water to enter the vehicle during normal use
- Officially Affected: 2018–2021 Honda Odyssey
- Result: Rust, corrosion on electronics, and interior damage
- Relevance: In my opinion, my 2023 model exhibits identical symptoms, suggesting Honda did not resolve the root cause
Site Disclaimer
Affiliation: This website is operated by a private individual consumer. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or associated with Pohanka Automotive Group, Pohanka Honda of Salisbury, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., American Honda Motor Co., Inc., or any of their subsidiaries, employees, agents, or representatives.
Trademarks: “Honda,” “Odyssey,” “Pohanka,” and any other brand names, model names, or trademarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners. Their use here is solely for the purpose of identification and commentary, and does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by the trademark owners.
Opinion labeling: Factual statements on this site are based on personal experience, photographic evidence, and documented correspondence. Characterizations of causation (e.g., “manufacturing defect,” “systemic problem”) represent the site owner’s opinion based on the observed evidence, and should not be taken as independent engineering conclusions.
No legal advice: Nothing on this site constitutes legal advice. Consumers with warranty disputes should consult a qualified attorney about their specific situation and rights under applicable law, including the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
Corrections & Takedowns: If you believe any factual information on this site is incorrect, please contact us at pohankasucks247@gmail.com with documentation. We are committed to factual accuracy and will promptly review and address legitimate correction requests.
DMCA: If you believe content on this site infringes your copyright, please contact pohankasucks247@gmail.com with a detailed description of the allegedly infringing material and proof of ownership.
Passive hosting: This site does not endorse the accuracy of user-submitted community stories beyond our editorial review process. The site owner is not liable for the content of submissions that pass review in good faith but later prove inaccurate, provided the submitter provided materially false information during the submission process.