2002 Honda Insight/Bad IMA battery

genrn3 · 06-09-2010, 08:49 PM

I own the above and am being told by Honda that they will not honor a warrenty that covers a new battery. This is based on a class action suit that states that they will be replaced if purchased between 4/13/2002 and 2006. The original owner purchased it in 2001. I have contacted a repair person in New York and he told me that it is still covered for 10 years. Can anyone guide me? I really need some help. The cost of the repair at the Honda dealer is 2500.00 which we don't have.

Right Lane Cruiser · 06-10-2010, 10:25 AM

Check out the following:

Extended IMA Warranty Coverage for 2000-04 Honda Insights

There are newer versions of the documents available there but mentioning the Service Bulletin number to the dealership should be enough to get dialogue started. That's what I did when they started telling me how much it would cost to replace the battery and BCM last fall. I just asked the tech to look up that number and I got a call back later that the work was covered under warranty.

**IamIan** · 06-10-2010, 06:17 PM

discussion by other owners in thread:

US IMA warranty 10 year extension UPDATED to all 50 states!

download the service bulletins and even manuals in thread:

Download 2000-2006 Insight Service Manual PDF and Others

best of luck ... in short ... if you are in the U.S. ... and the vehicle does not have a salvage title ... you got at least 10 years 150,000 miles ... some people have a bit more.

genrn3 · 06-12-2010, 11:44 PM

Sean, I have printed out the 06-026 and the 06-057 and it clearly shows that my battery on the 2002 Honda Insight should be replaced. Honda (including the corporate office) kept telling me that since it was purchased prior to the April 13th, 2002 date it was not covered under the warrenty that the class action suite did. It was purchased by the original owner in Dec of 2001. I don't know how to thank you. This is a car that my daughter who is in college drives and she is broke...so when we found out that they were not going to cover the 2500.00 repair (after we were initially told they would in Nov 2009) we were very upset. I spoke with the service manager and the sales manager and they were trying to work out something by giving me 1000.00 for the insight (after I've spent thousands) and trying to sell me another Honda that wasn't in very good shape for 4700.00

Jivko57 · 06-13-2010, 07:04 AM

Sounds that they tryed to take advantage of you and your situation.

**IamIan** · 06-13-2010, 10:18 AM

It is sad when people do these kinds of things to their customers... but that is why we have courts.

I'm not a lawyer, but ...

Bottom line ... if the car is not salvage titled ... and you have not tampered with it ... and it is a U.S. Gen-1 Honda Insight ... The IMA battery is covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles which ever comes first ... they will loose in court.

Right Lane Cruiser · 06-13-2010, 11:51 AM

I'm delighted to be able to offer some help.

For what it is worth, my car is also a 2002 MY and I believe it was purchased in November of 2001.

**satchel** · 06-13-2010, 09:27 PM

What dealer is this? It really irks me that some dealers and Honda corporate continue to pull this crap on owners! I hope I don't have to involve my brother's law firm should I have battery trouble in the next 40k or so miles. Sold 3/03 I'll be out of miles long before I'm out of time!

genrn3 · 06-14-2010, 11:43 AM

The Honda dealership in JC Mo. I may need help from your brother after all.

genrn3 · 06-14-2010, 11:46 AM

Over the weekend I received the 06-057 BUT now I'm being told by Honda here in Jefferson City Mo that the class action lawsuit is after that and they DO NOT HAVE TO COVER ANY INSIGHT PURCHASED BEFORE 4/13/2002. Can someone help me??? I'm pretty desparate here. 06-057 says all batteries- the lawsuit says only ones purchased after the above date. Who are the attorneys for the class action lawsuit.