Landmark Honda — Local services in Alexandria

I called in and was quoted $80 for a diagnostic test. Once my car was towed in, the mechanic called me back advising that the issue with my car was the water pump $900, Drive belt $300, and coolant $200 (approx). The total was approx $1400.

I then called a certified mechanic outside of Honda for a price comparison (Bob at Branch Ave Tire and Auto) who advised me that they’re criminally overcharging me at Honda) and that all of this could be done for around $500, not the $1400 I was quoted.

I then advised HONDA not to work on my vehicle, and that I would have it towed again to the other auto shop for repair. The mechanic told me that was fine, but that the diagnostic fee was $260. Remind you, I was quoted $80 when I initially called the day prior. He knocked down the dx fee to $160 after my complaint, but as you can imagine, this was still horrible, especially since they did absolutely nothing.

After I spent the $160 diagnostic fee, I sent the tow company to Honda to pick up my car - the mechanic at Honda was adamant that the car was immovable, and that several men would be needed to get my car onto the tow truck. He told me I would need to reschedule the tow since it arrived a few minutes after 6 PM, and there would be no one there to help him push my car onto the tow truck. He advised me to tell the tow driver to turn around and to come the next day in the morning. Keep in mind I’ve already paid for 2 tows at this point and that would have been a 3rd, plus a useless diagnostic fee.

The tow truck driver came anyway &was able to drive my car onto his tow truck ALONE. Mind you, we were able to get the car onto the tow truck initially (coming from my house) ALONE - 1 man. They lied.

The tow truck driver advised during pickup that the drive belt (that was still in place under the hood when I got it towed in (but torn)), was now sitting in my passenger SEAT torn completely in HALF. (Bob at the auto shop that ACTUALLY FIXED MY CAR also later confirmed this).

Once my car finally got to the auto repair shop (not Honda), Bob informed me that the issue with my car was the drive belt & AC compressor. He advised me that it, in fact, was not the water pump or coolant at all. So the only thing Honda got it right about was the drive belt (which they took off/out and completely ripped it in half and sat it in my car seat without my approval).

So, to sum it all up, 2 out of the 3 car issues I was told was broken wasn’t even an issue (water pump and coolant) - and the 1 issue that was correct (drive belt) Honda tore into 2 pieces and displaced it.

This caused me not being able to go to work for FOUR days. Thankfully certified mechanic Bob and his son at Branch Ave Auto and Tire 3407 Branch Ave Temple Hills MD 20748 were HONEST - they informed me that my water pump and coolant is perfectly fine and that Honda dealer/mechanic worsened my drive belt as it was completely detached.

He actually lIfted up at my hood and showed me that it was the AC compressor that was making the car shake and the belt that made it hard to drive. Which was only around $500.

Mind you, the drive belt was only around $300 at Honda so the additional $900 that they were charging me was literally criminal, there was absolutely nothing wrong with the quoted water pump ($900 and coolant $200 approx).

Not only was I going to be severely overcharged by Honda (by $1000), but they are literally repairing and replacing things that do not need to be repaired or replaced. Even worse, NOT FINDING/ADDRESSING the ACTUAL cause of the vehicle not properly working (AC compressor) which was NEVER mentioned by Honda as an issue. And of course, the belt, that Honda further ruined and displaced. After Bob at the auto shop (Not Honda) fixed my car yesterday, my 2010 CIVIC is now running like brand new! He was 100% right. He also wanted to call Honda and address them for being criminals, but I told him I would just take my losses - 4 days of pay and a $160 diagnostic fee and a further broken belt.

The Lamdmark Honda shop on Duke Street are criminals, liars,...

My email to Michael, Service and Parts Director.

Hi Michael

I was unsure if you are still the Service and Parts Director, as I did not trust the response I received from the service advisor I met today, which is explained below. Also, I sent a LinkedIn email to Bouna Ndaiye and Joe Waldman, as it is unclear who is the current General Manager for the Landmark Honda on Duke Street in Alexandria

I have been taking my 2002 CR-V to Landmark Honda for service since I purchased the vehicle in ~2013; however, the recent experiences following the departure of my previous stellar service advisor, Jenna M., are making me think twice about where I get my vehicle serviced. I don’t mean any harm, but she was the only woman in the group that I recall at the time, and she was a rock star who knew more about the vehicles than a lot of the service advisors. What she didn't know, she took the time to find out so that she could address her customers' needs. I can’t say that for the men I have been working with lately! There is a focus on hustling people out of money!

Visits Since First Quarter of 2024 until Now

Visit-1: I was taken advantage of, spending a large amount of money on tires that I did not need, which should not have been the case and you, Michael, corrected.

Visit-2: The service advisor required some career/service coaching/mentoring on how to effectively communicate an issue, explain the options for completing the required repair, and provide potential outcomes.

It should not be the customer's responsibility to provide mentorship; however, due to my personality and willingness to give back, I welcomed the opportunity to mentor a young employee on how to enhance his communication and sales skills, while ensuring his employer has a repeat customer. I got the work done!

Visit-3: Was Ok. The advisor was attentive and focused on resolving my flat tire.

Visit-4: I reluctantly ended up speaking with the service advisor from Visit-1 in an attempt to confirm the last service I had received during Visit-2, which was required to pass the state inspection. Needless to say, I left with the plan to return after Ricardo A. returns from vacation.

Visit-5 (7/22/2025): Unfortunately, the present service advisor lacked the communication skills and focus necessary to ensure a repeat customer. Like with Visit-1, there was a lack of support to solidify simple request to solidify a part I needed to order and have the team replay that was easily visible standing next the car without paying ~200+ service fee part issue. Also, the mechanic who was sitting next to the adviser slipped by communicating what my issue was from pictures on my phone recanted by his original comment from a picture showed and added random thoughts in an attempt to confuse. The communication became for passive and unhelpful.

Finally, I communicated that I could only drop my vehicle off and leave on Thursday afternoon, but the service advisor made the appointment for Thursday at 0800, which I am unable to make.

Questions Can someone help confirm the mount to order and the cost of having a mechanic screw the mount onto the car, based on the attached images?

Can the appointment be rescheduled to drop off the vehicle late in the afternoon on Thursday, with a plan to leave it for the Friday service to confirm why the check engine light is still persisting, now that the catalytic converter was replaced 14 months ago? Also, what is the cost for this service to check the vehicle system messages?

NOTE: The light actually started coming on and off ~12 or 13 months after the last service. However, it had not been...

I've waited to write this review to give the dealership a fair chance to make things right — unfortunately, that didn’t happen.

When I initially walked in, a woman greeted me and asked how she could help, but never introduced herself. I chalked it up to cultural differences. It wasn’t until we were walking to the car to test drive that she finally told me her name. Overall, she was kind and seemed like a good salesperson, and I did get a great deal on the vehicle. That aspect would have given them a 5 star review.

But the issues started right after the sale — and there were several.

First, I was told to bring my vehicle back the following Monday to have LoJack installed and a scratch repaired. I was under the impression this would be a quick service. Instead, they had my SUV for nearly 36 hours with no offer of a courtesy vehicle.

The bigger issue came with registration. I purchased the vehicle and registered it outside of Virginia. As my temporary tags approached expiration in June, I called multiple times and left voicemails — none of which were returned. My temporary tags expired, and I ended up with a ticket.

It became clear that unless someone is actively trying to sell you something, no one at this dealership will return your call. I had to have my sister physically go to the dealership just to get a new temporary tag issued.

By July, still no Texas plates. I called again on Monday, July 7, 2025, and after multiple attempts finally spoke with the finance rep who casually said, “Oh, it’s been almost 60 days? You should’ve received them.” He promised to look into it and call me back the next morning — I’m still waiting on that call.

When I called again, I was told they couldn’t issue me another temporary tag. I asked for the general manager, “Q,” to call me — still nothing. I ended up going to the DMV myself (which is a nightmare in any state), only to learn that Texas had sent the plates — the dealership simply failed to notify me or track them down.

Thankfully, because I was in uniform (I’m active duty military), the DMV issued me new plates free of charge.

To top it all off, I was told they would reimburse me for the parking ticket caused by their delay. I haven’t seen a dime — and frankly, I don’t expect to.

I have multiple certifications in sales and customer service, and I can say with confidence: this is not how a premier dealership treats its customers. Their complete lack of communication and follow-through is unacceptable. I sincerely hope they improve, because my experience has been nothing short of...