Honda Fit car owners are to meet with their supplier after claiming efforts to fix the problem on their vehicles failed.

More than 20 drivers will meet with HWP mechanics and chief operations officer Alan Brooks to address their concerns. Owners rallied together in a support group after years of complaints about a rattling sound when moving off or travelling uphill.

Organiser Shawnette Somner, 44, said she was fed up with taking her car to the garage, only to be told by mechanics that they could not find anything wrong.

The motorists are also angry at having to pay for labour costs but for the problem still not to be fixed. They describe the complaint as a rattling, shimmying or knocking sound.

Last week Mr. Brooks said he had been advised by Honda to change the transmission fluid on the cars at no charge to customers. Yesterday he admitted that Honda had identified a “judder” on some of its models and said HWP would endeavour to fix the problem.

The garage has sold almost 400 models since their introduction to the Island in 2002.

“The Honda Fit has an excellent record for reliability in keeping with the outstanding reputation enjoyed by all Honda products,” said Mr. Brooks.

“As occasionally happens, a manufacturer may identify a situation that needs addressing with a particular vehicle model. In the case of the Honda Fit, the manufacturer identified a transmission judder that occurs in some vehicles when the vehicle is travelling between five and 30 kilometres per hour.

“HWP has been addressing this situation in affected vehicles with a free transmission service for customers who bring their Honda Fit. To date, none of our customers who have undergone this service have identified any ongoing problems with their Honda Fit vehicle.”

However, Ms Somner dismissed the measure, saying several owners had already tried this — to no avail.

She said: “What we’ve found is that the problem has continued, even after the fluid has been changed. People have become so fed up, they’ve not bothered going back. One girl took her car in on Friday and had the fluid changed, but as soon as she left the garage the shimmying started again. The fluid is being changed but is not fixing the problem.”

The meeting will take place at HWP at 5.30 p.m. next Tuesday. Mr. Brooks has asked any concerned Honda Fit owners to telephone him on 295-5000. Anyone wishing to contact the support group should email: hondafitbda[AT]hotmail.com