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I live in Northern Virginia and I own a 2004 Honda Accord. I had the airbag replaced (driver's side I guess?) once. So they came out with another airbag recall (passenger side I think) and the dealership has been VERY persistent in getting me in to fix it. In the past month and half they have called me at least a dozen times, and sent me multiple emails.
I'm curious why. I've never had a dealership be this aggressive in getting me into get a recall item fixed. Is it because they'll make more money on this kind of fix?
Although not as persistent, the Cadillac dealer was the same about the ignition switch recall. I was somewhat hesitant as I was afraid they would get me in there and then inform me of all the things that need replacing. However, they were very professional and I was in and out of there quickly .
It's because it's a dangerous fix that needs to happen. If it's free, why wouldn't you go get it fixed?!
I get it...it needs to be fixed. I haven't done it because I haven't made the time. It's a day without my car, it's coordinating dropping it off and picking it up, etc. I'll get it done.
My question is about the persistence of the dealership. I've owned a lot of cars that have gone through recalls and I've never had a dealership be this persistent. If I was the dealership, I'd note in the record that after multiple calls and emails, the customer didn't respond, and move on. Unless there was reason for them not to move on.
It's got to be profit driven. If a service-writer can make $x on something that requires very little effort, and s/he doesn't have to worry about the customer squawking about the cost (because it's a recall related expense vs customer pay)....is that how I end up with dozen calls in a month and a half? Maybe the service writer gets a bonus? Because the dealership gets a bonus for each airbag replaced?
I'm sure the service writers are incentivized some how to make this fix happen, I'm just not sure how.
If it's a Takata airbag (and I'm 99% sure it is), then there is a significant liability exposure for Honda if something bad happens as a result of a malfunction. This problem has been well documented and highly publicized, so I'm sure that Honda is leaning on its service departments VERY hard to get these bad airbags out of cars ASAP.
Make the time and get it done. Recalls are not big profit centers for dealership service departments, and they're doing this because Honda is putting a lot of pressure on them to get it done.
They should make you sign a waver stating that you are choosing not to replace it and if you're in an accident and injured or killed by a faulty airbag that you're family isn't entitled to sue!
If it's a Takata airbag (and I'm 99% sure it is), then there is a significant liability exposure for Honda if something bad happens as a result of a malfunction. This problem has been well documented and highly publicized, so I'm sure that Honda is leaning on its service departments VERY hard to get these bad airbags out of cars ASAP.
Make the time and get it done. Recalls are not big profit centers for dealership service departments, and they're doing this because Honda is putting a lot of pressure on them to get it done.
That makes sense.
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