waiting more than 3 months for body parts on new 2025 Honda Fit hybrid w/poor after sales support

I bought a brand new Honda Fit hybrid e-CVT on 8 May 2025. I cannot tell you how happy I am with it - except maybe for two things - 1) the steering wheel wands are reversed from every other Japanese car I have owned; and 2) it doesn't have a spare - not even a small one. Those two things aside, I absolutely love this Honda, my first, and the sales and trade-in process was so fast and easy. I have loved driving it for almost a year, mostly commuting to work about 75km/day (roundtrip).

Then my wife had a low speed accident (in our neighbourhood) almost 3 months ago: 9 Mar 2026, it is now 24 May.

We got a quote for repairs from the body shop, Spraycraft in Bellville, on 11 Mar and paid for the parts in advance 25 Mar after payday. It was almost R70K for 52 parts. The panel beater says it was "sc****d" and because they are certified by Honda, Spraycraft can repair it and keep it under warranty (no damage internal - just superficial. Did you know one of the front lights alone costs R18K???). The panel beaters immediately ordered the parts through the local Mekor Honda (Tygervalley) where I bought it.

A couple weeks later, Spraycraft informed us that some of the parts could take a couple months to get here. So we rented a car for a month, with the hopes the parts would come earlier and that we could possibly get a courtesy vehicle from Spraycraft; who advised us to contact Honda Customer Care to find out what's taking so long and escalate the delivery.

Honda Customer care responded almost immediately, on 6 May, the representative politely told us:

Dear Mr. Tucker, Please note that I have been in contact with the Honda Auto Tygerberg Parts Manager regarding parts for your vehicle. As per the attached He has advised that they are only awaiting the below five parts, before all required components can be supp**** for the repair: • 74192TZA000 –ETA: 31 July 2026 • 74142TZA000 –ETA: 31 July 2026 • 19101-6Y0000 – System indicates expected arrival within 1–2 days • 25550-60HJ60 –ETA: 14 August 2026 • 19015-6Y0003 –ETA: 10 July 2026 This matter will now be escalated to our Parts Division to obtain updated ETAs. Further feedback will be provided to you by Tuesday, 12 May 2026.

As promised, the customer care consultant followed up but nothing changed. Out of 52 parts in total on the itemised quote/invoice, 5 were outstanding; of which the third (above, of the 5) was delayed because of the heavy rains that closed Du Toit's tunnel for a bit. It has since come in.

*** After discussing this with both friends and family, we have come to realise that it is unacceptable for us to wait so long for these parts; especially considering this is a new car that should be supported by Honda SA. ***

We must rent a car for at least two more months, at about R6000 per month, and then hopefully get a courtesy car while the repairs are done *after* all the parts are here.

We see two ways for Honda to take care of us with proper customer care:

1. fly the parts out asap instead of waiting for the boat 2. pay for our rental car or give us a courtesy vehicle, until we get our car back

Then we will be happy Honda owners.

This Honda is my commuter car (about 35-45 minutes each way). It is due for it's first one year/15K km service last month already. I can safely say this is the nicest car I have ever owned. I'm 61 years old. Not even one year in it, and I absolutely love it. I'm so impressed by Honda! Ok, I would switch around those wands if I could, and I'll likely hunt for a rim with a temp tyre and stow it in the rather roomy boot, yet . . . the quality, craftsmanship, safety features, the ride, the sound, the displays, the sheer enjoyment . . . wow. And my friends, family and colleagues see it and ask about it all the time. It's the perfect time for a hybrid (esp with the war now) and the quality surpasses other Japanese, Korean and Chinese cars? I am the best kind of Ambassador -> a convert!

Unfortunately, all this joy has become tarnished by waiting so long for Honda; not our panel beater.

I'm willing to wait for this car; however, I still need a commuter car until it comes back.

bill