I am sharing my experience with the service I received from Carl's Mower regarding my 2-year-old…read moreHonda HRX217 self-propelled lawn mower. My experience has raised serious concerns about their service practices, warranty support, and customer treatment at this Honda dealership.
On April 17, 2025, Carl's Mower performed a camshaft replacement under Honda's official safety recall warranty service. During this service, they also replaced the mower's carburetor without my prior knowledge or authorization. I submitted a written complaint to Carl's Mower about replacing the carburetor to which they responded by stating they would strive to improve communication.
On May 8, 2025, I had to return the mower to Carl's Mower because the mower would no longer idle - an issue clearly related to the newly installed carburetor. Later that same evening, I received a voicemail saying the mower was ready for pickup.
When I arrived the next morning, May 9, the sales representative asked if I had used any ethanol-containing gasoline in the mower since their warranty work to replace the camshaft. I said Yes, I used regular unleaded gasoline from the gas station which contained up to 10% ethanol (E10) - which fully complies with Honda's published fuel recommendations. Despite this, they refused to perform any adjustments under warranty, citing the use of ethanol content gasoline was a disqualifier, and that I would have to pay to adjust the carburetor idle.
I pointed out that even the Honda Owner's Manual (WPC.204008.2021.04) on page 15 explicitly states that gasoline containing up to 10% ethanol (E10) is acceptable. The representative stood by their decision and reiterated they would not perform any service unless I would pay for it. I refused of course and asked for my mower back.
To my surprise, when I left the building, I found they had strangely already loaded my mower into the bed of my truck without my knowledge or consent.
After bringing the mower home, I personally adjusted the throttle cable to correct the idle issue. But when I went to fill the fuel tank, I found a significant amount of dirt and debris inside the mower's plastic fuel tank - as if a handful of dirt had been thrown inside. I have used the same clean, filtered gas can for years and cannot explain the dirt contamination. The only times the mower has been handled or refueled were during Carl's Mower's camshaft recall warranty work and the follow-up carburetor service.
I thoroughly cleaned the tank, the lines, tank filter and carburetor bowl, and refilled the mower with gasoline. There was no dirt or contaminants in the gas tank. Since then, the mower has run without issue, and no further contamination has appeared.
This experience leaves me deeply concerned about Carl's Mower's service integrity:
* Unauthorized part replacement
* Not providing the old carburetor part when requested
* Refusal to provide follow-up service on their own parts
replacement work
* Misrepresentation of Honda's safe fuel guidelines specifically
regarding the Authorized use of 10% ethanol containing gasoline
* Apparent mishandling or contamination of my mower's fuel tank
Based on these events, I no longer trust Carl's Mower and will never return, choosing to take my business to Lynden. I am also disappointed that such a dealership represents the Honda brand, which I have long trusted for quality and reliability in my mower, pressure washer, and generator for decades.
Customers deserve authorized service centers that act professionally, follow manufacturer safe fuel guidelines, and treat warranty claims with integrity.
