That's terrible. This isn't the first time I've heard about Honda refusing to cover what clearly was their defect. It was a factor in my decision not to purchase their extended warranty.

Here's how a warranty should work: Last spring I was changing the oil on the wife's 2017 Ford Escape. I noticed a slight seepage (not a drip) of oil on one of the front axle boots. I called for an appointment to have it checked out, and they had an opening the next day. If I'd been willing to wait a week they would have provided a free loaner car.

It turned out to be a defective power takeoff unit, which is basically a transfer case. They had a new one shipped in the next day and the car was ready that afternoon. I had purchased the extended warranty and expected to pay the $200 deductible since it was over 36 months, but they covered it in full under the longer powertrain warranty. That's the kind of warranty coverage that brings customers back to the showroom.