FACTS RELATED TO MY HONDA FOREMAN ATV

On November 1 2018 I purchased a new 2017 Honda FourTrax Foreman 4x4 ES with EPS (TRX500FE2), a 4WD ATV with electronic shift, electronic power steering, push-button four wheel drive and differential lock, from Donelson Cycles in Saint Ann, Missouri.

This particular model is specifically marketed as a rugged, hard-working atv.

My primary use is to tow a mower which I use to mow a few acres around my home, and to maintain trails on my 400 acre hunting property.  In both cases the area mowed is very 3-dimensional, with a lot of obstacles to be steered around.  I carefully selected an ATV with specs that made it clearly suitable for this use.

I immediately learned that the Honda EPS (electronic power steering) function on this machine is not up to the task.

Mowing an area that does not require much steering, it works fine.  But if mowing an area that requires much maneuvering around obstacles, the power steering soon ceases to function and a "PS" error light comes on. I can turn the ATV off and back on and the PS will work again for a short while, but it keeps happening over and over.  The problem has been 100% consistent from day one.

Variables:

• Towing weight

• My mower weighs 580 lbs,  46% below the 848lb published towing capacity of this machine. It attaches via a pivoting draw-bar thus has close to no tongue weight. I've been towing this mower with ATV's since 2002.  This Honda is the third ATV I've bought for the purpose.

• How "twisty" a path must be before the problem shows up.

• It is impossible to assign an objective metric to that.  If little steering is needed, the problem does not happen.  With the kind of steering needed to mow the places I often need to mow, it happens after 30-45 minutes of use.  Once it starts happening, powering the ATV off then restarting buys a couple of minutes of power steering operation before the cycle repeats.

• Ambient temperature.  

• I have reproduced the problem repeatedly in the 70's and even cooler.  But it does seem to happen quicker and more often the hotter the weather.

• Use of 4WD or 4WD/Difflock

• Both Donelson service and Honda America have suggested using these could contribute to the problem.  I'm not sure why that is an excuse… Honda engineered the system and marketed them to work together.  Regardless, I pretty much never use these features in a sustained manner, engaging them only briefly when needed, such as when going up a steep hill.  Nobody using this ATV in a situation that requires much steering is going to use 4WD or DiffLock any more than conditions dictate, because they significantly increase the steering effort even when the EPS is working.

When the power steering fails the machine can still be operated but it is tough.  I might have done it when I was in my 20s, but I'm in my 60's now and if I'm going to mow all day I need the power steering.  

And when the power steering has failed, operating the ATV in 4WD mode is extremely difficult.  With difflock engaged steering is quite difficult even when power steering is working.  With difflock engaged, and the PS light is on it is simply unsafe to operate at anything faster than a crawl because it takes such massive force to steer.

The service department at Donelson opened a case with American Honda.  They reported to me that Honda said the system is designed to shut off and throw the PS error light when it senses it is getting too hot.  They concluded it is functioning as intended, and that no parts are failing.  They confirmed that my battery and charging system were fine.

I asked the Donelson sales manager what my options are, and she said that's between me and Honda.  She said she sells them, doesn't manufacture them, and said all she could do is maybe arrange for a Honda representative to look at it when they are in town.   But I wrote the check to Donelson, not Honda.  I am a Donelson customer.  If they sell something that doesn't work as advertised, they are not off the hook.

It is clear the design is insufficient for the machine to perform the tasks it is sold to perform.  I have an $7,000 Honda ATV that does not perform as Honda advertises it will.

So I opened up case number 09600244 at American Honda, 866-784-1870.  I agreed to pick up my ATV from Donelson and try it again.   I did, it failed again exactly as before.  On 6/20/2019 I called American Honda again regarding my case number, and a gentleman named Patrick re-iterated their position that nothing is failing.  He said I could take it back for another round of service, but that if no

part is failing nothing will be done.

I asked that e was no point, that nobody would tell me anything different.  I insisted, and after a couple of laps of that Patrick very reluctantly agreed to escaPatrick escalate my case at American Honda.   He assured me therlate the case.  I have not yet heard anything further.

If they intend to make a good faith effort to fix the problem, I don't mind driving the 268 miles (two 134 mile round trips from my home to Donelson — one to drop it off one to pick it up).  But I don't see the point if they take the position there is no problem.

Bottom line, here is what appears to be Honda's position on my failing power steering system:

OUR POWER STEERING WORKS FINE IF YOU USE IT MOSTLY IN A STRAIGHT LINE.  IF YOU ACTUALLY WANT TO STEER, ALL BETS ARE OFF.  THE WARRANTY MEANS WHAT WE WANT IT TO MEAN AFTER YOU BOUGHT THE MACHINE, NOT WHAT WE LED YOU TO BELIEVE BEFORE WE GOT YOUR MONEY.

If anyone from Honda or Donelson gets serious about addressing the problem, I would be happy to take this page down while we work through the process.  I only want the problem fixed.  

If you cannot or will not fix the problem, I would accept you buying the machine back from me for what I paid for it.

In the meantime I am going to do everything possible to warn others, on ATV forums, via social media, though my contacts as an outdoor writer, anything I can think of.  Nobody should have to go through this sort of customer experience.

Selected quotes from Honda marketing materials regarding the FourTrax Foreman 4x4.

• The Foreman 4x4 ES EPS also gives you our exclusive electric shifting along with Electric Power Steering—both great choices for long days working at tough jobs.  bit.ly/hondaproblembrochure (page 7)

• ...this latest EPS iteration employs Honda's cutting-edge technology … to custom-tailor the application to a workhorse ATV.  … The Honda EPS system also includes two maps-one for 2WD and one for 4WD so the rider's feeling is more consistent regardless of mode.  bit.ly/hondaproblemeps (page 7)

• Sick of fighting ruts, rocks, and sidehills? Then get a Foreman with Honda's revolutionary Electric Power Steering (EPS)—the smartest, most innovative power steering you'll experience on an ATV. bit.ly/hondaproblemepsbenefit

• The Foreman 4x4’s solid-rear-axle design provides superior towing and hauling performance. Its long suspension stroke and plush seat  let you tackle ... the toughest chores. bit.ly/hondaproblembrochure (page 7)

• The Honda FourTrax Foreman is our flagship model when it comes to work. … There are three models to choose from, all featuring a swingarm rear suspension that’s perfect for hard work or towing. bit.ly/hondaproblemforeman

• At Honda, we have a whole stable full of great all-terrain vehicles, but the Honda Foreman has long been the real workhorse that demanding users go to when the going gets tough. bit.ly/hondaproblemworkhorse

• If you plan to do much towing with your ATV, swingarm models are an excellent choice …  Swingarm models also minimize body roll when riding across sidehills, a characteristic many riders appreciate. Riders looking for hard-working ATVs often choose swingarm models. bit.ly/hondaproblembrochure (page 3)

• Some jobs, it doesn’t matter if the work gets done today or tomorrow. Or if it’s raining or cold or blazing hot outside. Others, need to get done now, and done right the first time. … That’s when you need a Honda FourTrax Foreman.  bit.ly/hondaproblem17