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As our 2002 Honda Accord fell out of warranty, we decided to use a local service repair shop recommended by the American Automobile Association (AAA) of Southern California. We decided to use Camarillo Independent Honda, Acura & Toyota Specialist at 1955 E. Daily Dr., Camarillo, CA 93010.\r
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We had the car serviced there about every 6 month over a period from March 2007 until October 2009. Each time we brought it in for service, the service charges averaged between $500-$600 per services, in large part due to other items found needing repair. Although not pleased with all the needed repairs, the car had 84,000 miles and figured some parts were just getting old. \r
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In October of 2009, the check engine light went on and when checked, they indicated that two sensors were bad due to a code reading of 1457 and 1739. Also, they recommended that the transmission fluid was very dirty and needed to be flushed. At first I authorized the repairs but after checking the codes on the internet, it indicated that a reset of the check engine light would be recommended first before any repairs to insure that it was not a false reading. I called back and ask that they not repair the car and I wanted to get a second opinion. They indicated the repairs were already in progress and to stop now would cost almost as much as the total amount of the repairs. \r
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Two month later the check engine light went off again. I took it to another repair shop recommended by a friend and the same codes, 1457 and 1739 were showing up again, the same ones supposedly replaced two months earlier. The new repair shop recommended resetting the check engine indicator and see if it comes back on. An AAA investigation of the repairs made at Camarillo Independent is now under way.\r
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What was of equal concern, after reviewing our records, it turns out Camarillo Independent recommended and performed a transmission flush on March 2008 and recommended and performed it again on October 2009. Two transmission flushes were recommended in less than 19 months and with less than 10,000 additional miles on the car. Additionally, Honda, as it turns out, does not recommend any transmission flushes for the Honda Accord. There was also third invoice in December 2008 where they had recommended a transmission flush and I had told them it was just flushed. The technician noted on the invoice ”No transmission service, just did with us”. Evidently, transmission flushes are a very common item to be added to the services. \r
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Because it was an AAA recommended shop, I had assumed a certain level of integrity regarding the services preformed but as it turned out, this was a mistake and wanted to alert others. \r
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