2006 Honda Civic

Honda Civic, 2006, engine block cracked and car overheated due to coolant loss without alerting driver to safety concerns, putting him/herself in jeopardy, along with other drivers/passengers. Overheating causes engines to stop operating which is extremely dangerous and costly. Driver ascertained that something wasn’t right at lower speeds (residence/business district). A faint whining was coming from the dashboard. This would likely not have been heard driving at faster speeds, and/or with the radio on. Once parked the operator smelled and saw smoke emanating from the vehicle hood and noticed leaking under the car. There was no prior warning sign. According to recent communication with Honda America by the operator, this engine block failure is a known issue and a result of a casting problem during manufacturing. A voluntary warranty extension was made in 2014 for 2006 - 2008 (extended to 2009) for Honda Civics for 10 years from the date of purchase. Unfortunately, many drivers, who were/are unaware of the warranty extension/issue, and for whom hadn’t detected/or had a problem prior are unknowingly driving ticking time bombs around. This warranty extension has since expired. Honda has not made an official recall and is not keeping drivers informed about the prevailing issue, which is unknowingly putting drivers at risk. Based on sales data for North America there were roughly 1.2 million Honda Civics sold between 2006 and 2009, many of which are still on the road today. For a refurbished engine (not new), plus labor it is estimated to cost between $1,500 - $2,000 for repairs. This doesn’t take into account the cost of human or vehicle harm. Video evidence of leaking at mechanics/smoking vehicle can be provided. Court certified automotive expert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vjk4z7KLA4 Reporting on warranty: http://www.hondaproblems.com/civic-cracked-engine-block/ Honda Civic sales data: https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/honda-civic-sales-figures/

13 December, 2021 VIN: [XXX] Background: 30 June, 2015 - Took Our 2006 Honda Civic 4 door sedan (LX) in for service (odometer reading 75,801) in order to address coolant leaks. The OEM dealership indicated there was a recall on this specific engine and Honda USA replaced the short block and gaskets ( exhibit H0CS10872 – replacement engine ID number D67141432M ) to correct this problem. Issue: 10 December, 2021 - While driving home (8 miles on local errands) the engine began making a rattling noise. No warranting indicators appeared on the dashboard alerts. Parked the in garage, inspected the garage floor for fluid leaks – there were none. Immediately arranged to take can in for service. 12 December, 2021 - Left residence to take the car in for an inspection and / or service. Without warranting the engine failed, lost steering and braking. Had car towed for inspection. 13 December, 2021 – Car inspected (odometer reading 117,366) finding engine sized. It should be noted that since the short block replacement the car has only been driven 41,565 miles in 5 years. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

ENGINE BLOCK IS DEFECTIVE. HONDA HAS A 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE BLOCKS THAT START LEAKING COOLANT. MY CAR IS A 2006 AND THE WARRANTY WAS GOOD TO 2016. I AM DISAPPOINTED HONDA WILL NOT DO THE RIGHT THING AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE. ATTACHED BELOW ARE PICTURES OF THE KNOWN LOCATION OF THE ENGINE BLOCK CASTING FAILURES.

REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE OF RECALL. 2006 CIVIC: ENGINE DOES NOT START, AND THE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM MAKES CAR INOPERABLE, ESPECIALLY IF THE BATTERY RECENTLY WENT DEAD AND THE ENGINE WAS JUMP-STARTED. THE DOME LIGHT IN MY CAR, 2006 CIVIC EX SEDAN, WAS LEFT ON THE AND BATTERY WAS DEAD, AND THEN CAR WAS JUMP STARTED. AFTER THAT THE IMMOBILIZER SYSTEM PREVENTED THE CAR FROM STARTING. 1. THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN DESIGN DEFECT (HONDA DEFECT CODE: 03217) REPORTED IN MANY, MANY POSTINGS AND COMMENTS ON THE INTERNET, OVER MANY YEARS, FROM 2006 UNTIL RECENTLY, BOTH HERE IN THE U.S. AND IN THE UK. SEE EXTRACTS FROM NUMEROUS INTERNET REPORTS IN ATTACHMENT (INTERNET REPORTS - PROBLEM.DOCX). 2. THERE IS NO WARNING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM OR INFORMATION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL FOR THIS CAR, OR ANY NOTIFICATION FROM HONDA, ON THE CORRECT WAY TO JUMP START THE CAR TO AVOID THE PROBLEM. SEE JUMP STARTING SECTION IN ATTACHMENT (2006 EX OWNER'S MANUAL.PDF) 3. HONDA HAS ISSUED: "SERVICE BULLETIN - AUGUST 2, 2006 06-036 - IMMOBILIZER INDICATOR IS BLINKING, ENGINE WON'T START SYMPTOM THE ENGINE DOES NOT START, AND THE IMMOBILIZER INDICATOR IS BLINKING (ESPECIALLY IF THE BATTERY RECENTLY WENT DEAD AND THE ENGINE WAS JUMP-STARTED). PROBABLE CAUSE THE IMMOBILIZER IMOES CODE HAS BEEN ERASED. VEHICLES AFFECTED: 2006 CIVIC 4-DOOR LX AND EX (USA-PRODUCED) ' FROM VIN 1HGFA1...6L000001 THRU 1HGFA1...6L118712 CORRECTIVE ACTION REPLACE THE UNDER-DASH FUSE/RELAY BOX (MICU - MULTIPLEX INTEGRATED CONTROL UNIT) 2006 CIVIC EX 4-DOOR A/T ' P/N 38200-SNA-A32, H/C 8356198" SEE THE COMPLETE HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN 2009-08-23_151940_IMMOB.PDF IN ATTACHMENT (SERVICE BULLETIN 06-036.PDF) COST OF REPAIR TO CUSTOMER - APPROX. $700-$800. AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR SHOULD NOT BE NEEDED SIMPLY FOR JUMP STARTING A CAR WITH A DEAD BATTERY - A NORMAL PROCEDURE THAT ANY CAR CAN SOMETIMES NEED. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED.

CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK. THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING. AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FLUID LOSS. A LARGE PUDDLE WAS OBSERVED UNDER THE CAR. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK IN THE ENGINE BLOCK. THERE WAS A EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY MY VEHICLE IS 4 YEARS PAST THIS WARRANTY. I FEEL THAT THIS KIND OF ISSUE SHOULD NOT HAVE A CAP ON WHEN THE WARRANTY SHOULD END. THIS WAS A VERY WELL MAINTENANCED CAR WITH NO OTHER ISSUES.