Toronto, Canada, December 10, 1999

Complaint about Terrace Gate Acura Dealership and Acura Headquarters, both in Toronto, Canada

On December 1, 1997 I took my Acura Legend LS to the Terrace Gate Acura Dealership in Toronto, Canada, because the engine was overheating. Through a process of elimination, a new thermostat and then a new radiator was installed. Since the problem persisted, this led them to suspect a defective head gasket. Terrace Gate recommended, since the engine had to be taken apart to repair the head gasket, that I also replace the water pump and timing belt for $287.19. I agreed. By January 5, 1998, and at an accumulated cost of $3,925.96, I got my car back.

Upon driving the car the next day, I noted the engine light was continually coming on and the car began stalling typically while stopped at a traffic light. I took my car back to Terrace Gate four more times over the next five months trying to get this new problem fixed. Terrace Gate replaced a sensor and installed new platinum spark plugs, but nothing they did solved the problem.

Having by this time grown tired of Terrace Gate, I took my car to Acura of North Toronto. After two visits, the engine light no longer came on and the engine did not stall. However, beginning in October of 1999, the overheating problem returned once more. Acura of North Toronto told me that it looked like the head gasket was creating the problem. They were very surprised to hear that I already had the head gasket replaced less than two years prior. Acura of North Toronto recommended to take my car back to Terrace Gate as they believed Terrace Gate had a moral obligation to re-do the repair at no cost. They told me that head gasket replacements are very uncommon on Acura cars and especially on the same car in less than two years.

At Terrace Gate, after many discussions with the Service Manager and the owner of the Dealership, I was advised that the total cost to once again replace the head gasket would be $3,000 + tax. This price was given to me without any inspection of my vehicle. To me, the price seemed high, especially since Acura of North Toronto had given me an estimate of $1,458 + taxes which was about half. Also the head gasket kit at Terrace Gate was $790 while at Acura of North Toronto, it was only $480 !!

Since I could not detect any semblance of good will at Terrace Gate towards me, I next went to Acura’s head office in Toronto where I discussed my problem with a Customer Relations Specialist. I was told that they would not help; that I should solve the problem with Terrace Gate directly. To me this seemed like an odd position for them to take in because I had already explained my frustrations in dealing directly with Terrace Gate.

With seemingly no alternatives other than trading in my car, I took it to Acura of North Toronto to again have the head gasket replaced. To my surprise, Acura of North Toronto discovered that Terrace Gate had stripped the engine block while tightening the bolts, during the previous repair. The most economical solution in this situation was to replace the engine. The repairs have been made at a cost of $3,258.99

I am seeking damages from Terrace Gate in the sum of $3,546.97, this including the Acura North of Toronto’s original inspection cost.

If you would like to read a more detailed story of my "saga" with Terrace Gate Acura Dealership please press here.