Took delivery of new Ballade and discovered maladjustments on the following:1. Engine Bonnet slightly depressed on the left side
2. Body panel, driver’s side near rear view mirror, at the point where the front pillar mate with the front fender- offset by 2.7 mm from adjacent panel as measured by vernier callipers. Panel tends to give in under thumb pressure.
3. Body panel, front passenger side near rear view mirror, at the point where the front pillar mate with the front fender- offset from the adjoining panel and panel tends to give in under thumb pressure.
4. Hood clearance, left and right, not symmetrical at front end near head light front fenders.
5. Bonnet play on closing latch mechanism.
6. Front bumper mating with fender, driver’s side not flush and lined up.
7. Cover of fuel cap not flush with the main body of the car (Photo)
8. Top of Doors on the central pillar, passenger side, not aligned (Photo)
9. Top of Doors on the central pillar, driver’s side, not aligned.
10. Black plastic cover on the rear passenger side, not fitted flush compared to the right side.
11. Rear bumper on left side not well fitted with varying clearances between bumper and rear light compared to the right side.
12. Lid of trunk skewed on one side with clearance differences between the right and left side.
13. Minute paint spot chipped off the left side door , passenger side, showing bare metal.
I wanted to have the Honda Engineer from South Africa to have a look and advise on reinstatement method, I waited more than 6 months, i.e. until November, but I understand that they are very busy elsewhere and cannot spare the time to look at the product they have delivered. S.Africa is a mere 5 hrs flight from Mauritius. In desperation I have now agreed for the car to be reinstated in the body shop of the local rep. E.A.L Man Hin Group and I hope that they will manage to do a good job. I find that there is a lack of professionalism from all quarters starting from the local rep to head office in SA.
Update from Jun 27, 2016: After several inspections, the head office in South Africa had finally agreed to replace the Ballade. New Ballade has been delivered on 23/06/16. Some minor defects observed on body panels of new car but not so critical as to trigger a rejection from my part, considering that it took one year to settle the problem ,
My conclusion is that the fabrication of Honda cars in India is not to the standard required, they need to improve their act.
Thank you for publishing my problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
click to see larger images
Took delivery of new Ballade and discovered maladjustments on the following:1. Engine Bonnet slightly depressed on the left side 2. Body panel, driver’s side near rear view mirror, at the point where the front pillar mate with the front fender- offset by 2.7 mm from adjacent panel as measured by vernier callipers. Panel tends to give in under thumb pressure. 3. Body panel, front passenger side near rear view mirror, at the point where the front pillar mate with the front fender- offset from the adjoining panel and panel tends to give in under thumb pressure. 4. Hood clearance, left and right, not symmetrical at front end near head light front fenders. 5. Bonnet play on closing latch mechanism. 6. Front bumper mating with fender, driver’s side not flush and lined up. 7. Cover of fuel cap not flush with the main body of the car (Photo) 8. Top of Doors on the central pillar, passenger side, not aligned (Photo) 9. Top of Doors on the central pillar, driver’s side, not aligned. 10. Black plastic cover on the rear passenger side, not fitted flush compared to the right side. 11. Rear bumper on left side not well fitted with varying clearances between bumper and rear light compared to the right side. 12. Lid of trunk skewed on one side with clearance differences between the right and left side. 13. Minute paint spot chipped off the left side door , passenger side, showing bare metal. I wanted to have the Honda Engineer from South Africa to have a look and advise on reinstatement method, I waited more than 6 months, i.e. until November, but I understand that they are very busy elsewhere and cannot spare the time to look at the product they have delivered. S.Africa is a mere 5 hrs flight from Mauritius. In desperation I have now agreed for the car to be reinstated in the body shop of the local rep. E.A.L Man Hin Group and I hope that they will manage to do a good job. I find that there is a lack of professionalism from all quarters starting from the local rep to head office in SA.
Update from Jun 27, 2016: After several inspections, the head office in South Africa had finally agreed to replace the Ballade. New Ballade has been delivered on 23/06/16. Some minor defects observed on body panels of new car but not so critical as to trigger a rejection from my part, considering that it took one year to settle the problem , My conclusion is that the fabrication of Honda cars in India is not to the standard required, they need to improve their act. Thank you for publishing my problem.
- will60plus, Port Louis, Mauritius