Honda Clarity Forum banner

A Pillar

7157 Views 13 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  tanowak
Hello, I just leased a clarity plug in hybrid. I test drove both models and opted for the base trim because I didn't like the suede type accents in the car, but anyway. One thing I found in both vehicles was that the driver side A pillar plastic seem to be too short to the point where it didn't look like it was fully installed all the way at the bottom where it meets the dash. The dealer couldn't fix it and told me that they would look into it. I haven't heard anything since and that was about a month ago. I was wondering if anyone else had noticed this in their vehicle?

Thanks
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
Actually the dash is about 1/2 inch lower on the driver's side near the front. You can tell by comparing where the dash meets the windshield with the dash on the passenger side. It's a installation issue.

Several folks have had this issue but Honda USA refuses to recognize this as an issue. Several on another forum have said dealers don't do anything about it and Honda USA backs up the d-bag dealers.

One fellow was successful in having his dealer fix it while another owner fixed it himself...so tell your dealer to fix it is all I can say.

Try Honda USA and see if they will help. It's an obvious defect but getting any American company to admit anything is next to impossible these days even with photographic evidence.

From what I recall...those with dashboard gap issues had production runs Dec '17 through March '18. When was your car made? Just curious.

Keep us posted.

Good luck.
See less See more
I thought I would be the only person to notice that defect! I feel exonerated. Yes, the fit is not only sloppy, but it rattles/vibrates. I took the part off to see if there was an easy or obvious way to remedy it myself, but alas, it is just too short!


I haven't taken it to the dealer for my first service, but this is on the must fix list. I abhor rattles!


Rob
Darn it

Why did you ruin my day? LOL I thought 'Watson' was perfectly screwed together. Then I read your post and went to the garage to check. Yes, both sides are 'ill' fitting where the pillar meats the dash. I suspect they haven't found a way yet to perfectly align the large vinyl sheet on the dash with the 'A' pillar. I might have driven the car for years without having noticed that.

That's called " the rose losing it's bloom ".
Hello, I just leased a clarity plug in hybrid. I test drove both models and opted for the base trim because I didn't like the suede type accents in the car, but anyway. One thing I found in both vehicles was that the driver side A pillar plastic seem to be too short to the point where it didn't look like it was fully installed all the way at the bottom where it meets the dash. The dealer couldn't fix it and told me that they would look into it. I haven't heard anything since and that was about a month ago. I was wondering if anyone else had noticed this in their vehicle?

Thanks
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Went to the garage to check and no gap or ill fitting between A pillar trim and dashboard. Checked manufacture date and it's 8/18 so maybe it's been fixed on later builds.
I haven't looked into anything since I've posted this, so no new news. My car was made September 2018 so there's still an issue.
2019 April version - A-Pillar problem still exist & can't be fixed

A few days after gotten my car, I noticed the base of the A-Pillar was seated a bit above the dash. It's a small problem & not definitely not critical; but, once you've seen it, you just can't un-see it. Now, it's very annoying to see it all the time... :sad:

I took the car back to the dealer last week. 1st attempt - the dealer tried to adjust it by removing & remounting the A-Pillar cover, but it only stayed for 5 minutes before it slipped too far up. 2nd attempt - the dealer ordered a brand new A-Pillar cover, but it had the exact same problem. The dealer went out to check ALL the Clarity they had in stock, and they ALL had the exact same problem. So, the dealer finally gave up, and logged it in as a "MFG Defect" that can't be fixed. The service guy told me the 2019 CRV had a similar problem around the shifter, which Honda eventually fixed via a recall, but only after receiving numerous complains from owners+dealers. So, if you have this problem w/ your Clarify, then please make a complain with your dealership &/or Honda. Hopefully w/ enough complains, Honda will finally respond w/ a proper fix for this problem.

Attachments

See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: 2
I bought the plugin base version 2019 just little bit over 2 weeks ago and rattles/vibrates sounds that is coming from the front driver side, right under windshield is very annoying, its only when I drive between 20-50 miles an hour. Wondering if its same problem..
About week ago took my car to my local Honda dealership and they fixed this problem on the driver's side. Few days ago I noticed same problem on the passenger's side.
How to take a pillar off

I thought I would be the only person to notice that defect! I feel exonerated. Yes, the fit is not only sloppy, but it rattles/vibrates. I took the part off to see if there was an easy or obvious way to remedy it myself, but alas, it is just too short!


I haven't taken it to the dealer for my first service, but this is on the must fix list. I abhor rattles!


Rob
Hi Paul, Can you give an instruction for remove the front pillar on driver side of Honda Clarity's?

Thank you very much.

Khiem
I went to the dealer in Beaverton, OR hoping by now Honda would have some kind of updated part.
They said there's no TSB, no updated part. They tried their best but couldn't fix it.
I also checked 4 new Clarity PHEVs on the lot, they all had that misalignment on the driver side A-pillar. It's really stupid.

On a bright day, now I see scuff marks over my A-pillar removal cover area.

Previously I removed it myself and added some foam tape to remove the rattles without leaving any marks at all.

Do not take it to the dealer! You will regret it. Once they start touching stuff, it'll usually be worse. That's my experience with buying new cars and dealers on Mazda, Mini, and this Honda.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
Thank you for all the responses and the photo. Just bought a used 2018 at 32k miles, and happy to know I am not alone with this issue!
I went to the dealer in Beaverton, OR hoping by now Honda would have some kind of updated part.
They said there's no TSB, no updated part. They tried their best but couldn't fix it.
I also checked 4 new Clarity PHEVs on the lot, they all had that misalignment on the driver side A-pillar. It's really stupid.

On a bright day, now I see scuff marks over my A-pillar removal cover area.

Previously I removed it myself and added some foam tape to remove the rattles without leaving any marks at all.

Do not take it to the dealer! You will regret it. Once they start touching stuff, it'll usually be worse. That's my experience with buying new cars and dealers on Mazda, Mini, and this Honda.
yeah they offered to do this at another dealership, and I wasnt enthused about them pulling this section apart with their grubby hands, will try and add some weather tape/foam at the seam to resolve issue myself. Very odd the dash ended up in several years of this car... still enjoying it otherwise!
  • Like
Reactions: 1
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top