Acura Navigation system - doesn't function correctly

# 17 for June 5, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on June 4, 2003:

From: Joseph Harbrecht [Email User]

RE: Acura Navigation system - doesn't function correctly As a previous Acura owner I was really excited about buying another one as my previous Acura Legend was the only automobile my family never wanted me to get rid of. In any regard, after looking at products from several manufacturers, I settled on returning to Acura. The key ingredient was the NAV system that now turns out to be the reason for this letter. In short, the NAV system is a joke, especially when compared to the NAV system in competitor vehicles. Let me give you an example.

I live in the Akron, Ohio vicinity (population 217,074), about 5 miles from the city center where there are three (3) hospitals, the police station, and numerous fine restaurants and other attractions. Why in the world would the NAV system, when queried for Place - Emergency – Hospital – Closest facility, tell me to drive to Brecksville, Ohio (population 13,382 if you count all the chickens and pigs), which is at least 20 miles away.

The same type response for directions to the police. In fact, the system does not mention any of the Akron hospitals, even when you tell it to select a hospital in Akron, Ohio. This makes no sense whatsoever and in fact, is extremely dangerous. I don't care how many disclaimers your lawyers put in the owners manual or on the system, this option is misrepresented and over priced. I paid an extra $2,000.00 for this and it can't even identify the street I live on. People don't buy these things to find the Sears Tower or the Empire State building or the Golden Gate Bridge. They purchase an option like this to help them when they are lost or are having an emergency or are traveling in

the hinterlands or other unfamiliar places. I hope my area is not considered the boondocks, but if you had my street address or phone number and an Acura NAV system, you could search until the cows came home and wouldn't find my house yet it is located in one of the most prominent developments in the Akron area. In short, this option does not does not pass muster and certainly isn't up to the standard that I expect from Acura. Please tell me that I don't have the latest DVD installed because if what I have is the latest system, I want my money back. I've got a hand held GPS system that is twice what your product is. Also, my vehicle came equipped with On Star but nowhere in your owner’s manual does it explain what it does or how it works. Yes, the dealer was kind enough to help me register the vehicle with the On Star representative, but now what? In short, I feel that I have been mislead and ripped off. Please advise. Sincerely, Joseph “the unhappy Acura owner” Harbrecht