Honda Blamed Me After My 2010 Civic Caught Fire from Faulty LED Installation
In 2010, when our Honda Civic had only 1,000 kilometers on it, we had daytime LED lights installed at the authorized Honda service center in Çorlu. Due to improper installation (as confirmed by an expert report), the wiring above the front grille inside the hood rubbed against the bodywork, causing it to wear down and eventually short circuit, leading to a fire and partial burning under the hood. In an informal inspection, the authorized service acknowledged the findings of the expert report. However, a so-called expert sent from Istanbul rejected these findings and claimed the fire was caused by sabotage. Acting based on this biased report—clearly written with personal animosity toward us—Honda ignored the official reports from the Crime Scene Investigation Team, which found no trace of flammable, explosive, or combustible materials, and from the Fire Department, which concluded the fire was caused by an electrical fault. Instead, Honda dragged the legal process out for 10 years, using its lawyers and, in my opinion, influencing both the experts and the court to delay the outcome. In the end, I won the case—based on the initial findings of the authorized service—but the compensation amount of ₺32,500 awarded in 2014 was paid out in today’s value as just ₺71,500. Honda ultimately achieved its goal by devaluing my compensation. It’s a shame that a company as large as Honda stooped so low over a 2010 model vehicle owned by an individual consumer.
Progress
In 2010, when our Honda Civic vehicle had only 1,000 kilometers, daytime LED lights were installed at the Çorlu Honda authorized service. Because this installation was not done according to proper technique (as stated in the expert report), the cables on the inner hood grille rubbed against the bodywork, causing wear and an exposed section, which short-circuited and caught fire, resulting in partial burning inside the hood. In the unofficial inspection by the authorized service, comments were made confirming the expert report. However, a so-called expert from Istanbul did not accept these statements and issued a report claiming the vehicle burned as a result of sabotage. Acting on the report written by this so-called expert from Istanbul, who had a personal antipathy towards us, Honda disregarded the Crime Scene Investigation Teams' statement that 'no traces of flammable, explosive, or incendiary substances were found at the scene or on the vehicle' and the Fire Department's report that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit. Instead, Honda, in my opinion, influenced both the experts and the court through their lawyers just to prolong the lawsuit and drag out the process, stretching this case over 10 years. In the end, I won the case, and in line with the statements given in the initial findings of the authorized service. But unfortunately, the lawsuit amount of 32,500 lira in 2014 was only paid to me as 71,500 lira today. Honda achieved its goal and devalued my money. The huge Honda company stooped so low as to covet even a consumer’s 2010 model vehicle.
