The Honda Civic has been a popular vehicle but, like all cars, it has its share of problems. Here are some things Honda doesn't want you to know about the Civic.
There aren't too many known problems for the Honda Civic that are serious, however there are some problems that can be costly for the consumer. The vehicles most susceptible to these sort of problems are the 2001-2002 models and 2006-2007 models. Here's a run-down of some of the common problems for the Honda Civic:
1. Transmission Failure: This is commonly found in 2001 models. There are also some issues in the 2002 models.
2. Engine Block Cracking: This is found in the 2006 Honda Civic. The crack usually forms right above the coolant channels and appears to happen after about 90,000 miles. Since a repair is basically impossible, a new engine is usually required.
3. Interior Problems: Problems involving sagging headliners and interior trim coming loose are common in the 2001 models. There is a problem with an erratic SRS light in the 2002 models.
4. Sun-visor issues: This is common in the 2006 model and can arise as early as after 30,000 miles. Repair costs $90.
5. Exhaust Manifold Cracking: This has been reported for 2001 and 2002 models. It is not as serious as the transmission but does require a replacement manifold.
6. HVAC issues: This is common in the 2001-2004 models. It is caused by a faulty thermal fuse in the control unit that controls the blower motor. This motor blows air when using the heater or air conditioner. The fan will then run either not at all or at full speed. A new control unit is usually required, which can cost between $90 and $200. If no fan blowing occurs, then the problem can be fixed by soldering in a new thermal fuse and clearing the housing's inside for accommodation. This only costs about one dollar.
7. Premature Tire Wear: This is common in the 2007 model. Wear in the front tires is usually attributed to the Bridgestone tires, while rear wear is usually caused by a faulty rear control arm.
So what are some good ways to avoid dealing with these problems? One is to check recalls. Most dealerships will happily address recall problems. Check recall.gov for known recalls and feel free to ask if your vehicle's VIN falls within the recall. If it does, you should have no issues with having your Honda Civic fixed. It is important to stay informed with what's going on with your vehicle. Additionally, make sure to buy from a reputable dealership. Honda in particular offers some of the best used cars available and has a great used car program. Also ask questions. Ask the dealership if they have worked on any of the recall issues that may have affected Honda Civics.
In March Honda recalled hundreds of thousands of vehicles due to a break problem. 259,829 vehicles were affected, including the Honda Pilot, Acura RL and Acura MDX.
