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Comments
I don't know what to even say about the rear windshield problem you are having. I am in shock as I am sure anyone reading this is and apparently you are not the only one. I bought a Honda due to reputation for reliability and quality and own an Acura Integra which is the best, most trouble free car I have ever had. I tend to hold onto my cars for a long time and seals tend to break down over time anyway. So....to hear something like this first year is incredible. I can't offer any advice other than if Honda doesn't give you a new car threaten to inform Dateline or 60 minutes of this issue.
I can only imagine what might happen if my rear windshield goes flying off on the highway at 70mph with people driving behind me....{{{shudder}}}
Honda should act FAST on this issue.
Strumelia
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/results.cfm
Make : HONDA Model : CIVIC Year : 2006
Manufacturer : HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.)
Crash : No Fire : No Number of Injuries: 0
ODI ID Number : 10147979 Number of Deaths: 0
Date of Failure: January 17, 2006
VIN : 2HGFG11376H...
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Summary:
FRONT WINDSHIELD MAKES CRACKING/CREAKING NOISES FROM ALL AREAS AROUND WINDOW WHERE GLASS MEETS SEAL/METAL. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE TRAVELS OVER ANY FLUCTUATION IN THE ROAD. SOME INSTANCES OF CREAKING AROUND THE REAR WINDSHIELD, AND EVEN MORE RARELY IN THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE. EXTREMELY DISTRACTING. MADE NOISES SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW - 2 MONTHS OLD AND SEVERITY OF NOISES INCREASING. HONDA DEALERSHIP NOTED NOISES BUT UNAWARE OF HOW TO FIX THIS ISSUE (TORONTO HONDA). *JB
It seems pretty clear that "creaking," "cracking," and my own squeaking and rattling noises could really be the first signs of these windshields starting to peel off from their caulk and frames.
Interesting that this complaint comes from Toronto, Canada; his car might also have been assembled in the Ontario factory.
Both the service dept. manager and the sales manager of my Honda dealer said they would contact their Honda zone reps today and talk about a recall. The sales manager was very grateful to find out this information. I didn't go in yelling and screaming; I just said that with is being in the position of having to sell this model, he might want to know my story.
A recall is an absolute no brainer, particularly with the gentleman who was riding behind a Honda 2006 Civic coupe on his way to work yesterday and told me he saw with his own eyes the rear windshield lift at the rear right pillar and springtime driving with rolled-down windows right around the corner here in the Northeast.
I filed a formal complaint with NHTSA, and they said they would get back to me quickly.
to be continued. That said, I am going to look at new cars next week. This Civic is way too unsafe for me: steering issues, bucking problems with the gas pedal, and just a general uneasiness that it's not handling the road well, nighttime glare from the lower windshields. Even the Honda sales manager said he'd be happy to get me into a different car. Somehow, though, I don't think I'm going to want to trust another Honda...
GREAT !! little car for the money.
Twomotor
You said;
I totally understand your feeling based on your current situation, but if it helps any; and if they offer you another Honda - I have had my Acura Integra (which is basically a civic with more frills) for 11 years with NO problems. It was used when I bought it too. It has broken down a total of once due to an alternator. I even can't believe a 16 year old car is still this reliable. I have only had cosmetic/non engine issues after 10 year mark; power antenna out/A/C, etc. I haven't gotten a new car earlier because I simply haven't had to as my driving is for functionality to work and not luxury.
When the new Civic's came out I thought well, I need a new one eventually and model this seems perfect. (At this rate, my car will rust apart before the engine goes anyway).
I just wanted to post this as even though I am having my own issues at the moment I know this car maker can make the best cars on the road today for the money.
My fear is that Honda went "crazy" this year and took a concept car and actually produced it. The whole look is so futuristic.....and all of the bells and whistles, digital displays etc. I knew I was taking a chance but when I saw that post of yours about the Honda Dealership that had the hailstorm and only the new Civics were damaged.....the windshields in back actually blew out....WOW
I have experience with hail. Golf ball size that made it look like someone took a hammer to my entire car. Not one nick on the glass though. Glass is MUCH heavier than metal and will take more of a beating.
It's some design flaw. Has to be. I still can't understand the glue coming off issue for you. I will have nightmares about this. Cars that are such beaters they won't pass inspection or are in junkyards don't have their windshields come off like that.
Let us know what happens. Although I have a feeling you just gave us the heads up on the next recall.
You said; "I don't know if I will be thinking about another Honda"....
(copy/paste must not work)
I'm having a similar problem. However, it pulls to the right and drifts to the right during normal driving. I took it back and they swapped the tires from the rear to front. It helped a little bit, but the problem is still there. I have to take it back in. Let me know if have found out what the real problem is, because I'm also sure its not the tires.
Thanks,
Dan
I have beeen reading every review and post I can find on the net about this issue and as I am reading roads tests the sensitive steering issue is mentioned in several articles. One states the car not being able to track straight. This may be why you mention a pulling sensation to the right and the poster before you stating the the same thing during a test drive.
I have not driven mine enough to pick up on that; just a lack of control and feeling like I have to steer all the time on something that that is so sensitive I feel nervous.
Here is an excerpt from Canadian Car & Driver long term test on the hybrid version which decribes quite well what I am feeling. (sorry I don't know how to post links)
"All 2006 Civics feature electric power assist provided by a motor rather than a hydrolic system. We're finding this a bit too noticable. Especially as the temperature drops. At low temps the steering seems to pick a line and follow it, until you correct it whereupon it picks another line and follows it. Rarely will it just go straight and respond to the type of familiar and minute adjustments you make with a hydraulic system"
This concerns me that professional drivers are uncomfortable. How do I get used to a car that won't DRIVE STRAIGHT? I frankly don't think cold weather has anything to do with it.
Dan, is this similar to how you feel and maybe the car isn't out of alignment and made this way?
Thanks
Will give a "steering" report on my return.
I do notice the engine seems to be revved up more than my old Corolla just going down the road at 30. Takes more to get it to go into the next gear up. Is that normal? I figured it was just a more powerful engine or something...
Strumelia
I have sinking feeling that you are correct and the car is just that way. It's not so cold here in southern ca so I don't know if cold weather makes it worse. I do notice the steering is very sensitive and needs constant correction. I guess this keeps you alert at the wheel, but I'd just like it to stay on track. Also when driving straight my steering wheel is cocked slightly to the right which makes me feel likes its an alignment problem too. I have yet to take it back to the dealer to see what they say about it. Aside from the weird steering I love the car. I have had it for two months and haven't seen another on the road.
What I love:
Looks fabulous, pick up, handling, great sound system
What I don't love:
The mysterious 1500rpm growl/humming. Evidently Honda knows, but no known fix as of yet.
Car does not always start on first try. Dealer checked immobilizer. Found nothing.
Gas mileage mystery. Never have gotten over 29mpg.
Windshield caulking peeling up. Glass could potentially could come off. Dealer replaced caulking
Interior ceiling material, steering wheel, dash and shift consoles had defects. Dealer replaced them. Radio buttons not working after steering wheel was replaced. Dealer fixed.
2 recalls (gas pedal and ODS replacement)
Interior plastic will scratch if you look at it sideways.
Hearing gas sloshing around.
What I've been told by the dealer:
Apparently the cars assembled in Toronto Canada are experiencing more problems than the other assembly locations. This is not comforting or acceptable.
I am checking the Lemon Law in NC. The first couple things I was understanding about, but at this point I'm quite upset. I've had to have the car in an out of the dealer 7 times. I know a lot of you have run into the same issues, and just wanted to share my experience as well.
Thanks.
-Imissmy95LX
My Honda dealership has, at least as of now, been very decent about my returning the Civic this coming week. They have not hidden how shocked they've been by the problems in my particular car. Don't really know if I'll get another Honda (an Accord??) or just abandon the brand for something like a Subaru Forester or maybe a Mazda 3 that people seem to like.
My initials sales person (who was the most dreadful part of the experience and who, interestingly, is no longer at Honda--maybe because he called and yelled at customers who didn't give him a 100% rating), told me that my car had been assembled in Ontario. I hadn't realized there was a Toronto plant as well. Maybe he meant Toronto. I don't know The complaint of January 17, 2006 on the NHTSA web site (www.safecar.gov) details the same complaints you and I have listed and the person listing the complaint is from Toronto. I listed my own complaint with them earlier this week because I think that caulking problem around the windshields is a serious hazard that will become very dangerous when people start driving with their windows down.
I got mine in November. Don't know if the Lemon Law allows me to make use of it here in CT, but I will check into that. Thank you for the reminder.
Also, I absolutely agree with you about the interior plastic scratching. I barely allowed a winter boot to graze the driver door panel as I got in one night and spent a long time removing the mark. It is as if this plastic absorbs a mark deeply, rather than it simply being a case the mark being on the surface.
Like you, Imissmy95LX, I'm upset. I not only miss my most recent car, I miss every car I've ever driven compared to this thing.
Their address is: Honda of Canada Manufacturing. PO Box 5000, 4700 Tottenham Road, Alliston, Ontario L9R 1A2. Telepone 1-705-435-5561 I couldn't find an e-mail address though. Maybe someone else can provide that. I hope that you all will fire off a firey letter of complaint directly to their Management office in Ontario. On the bottom of your sticker is the name of the various entry/manufacturing data for your car so make sure to include it. At the top is more pertinent information such as Control Number, Engine number, etc.
If you've disposed of the sticker, get it from your dealer. They have a copy of everything. Let's get together here and let these places know that customers are dissatisfied with shoddy workmanship. If you don't get a reply, write to your local newspaper reporter. Then write to the Automobile magazines. Let everyone know what your displeasure is. Spread the word. This is how you can make them clean their act up. Good luck and I hope to heavens my car is not a lemon. So far, so good. Please keep us informed of your actions. Bye. Francey
.
They are NOISY with only 600 miles on them. On a perfect road they are perfectly quiet. On an average road they are NOISY. So noisy that listening to guitar or listening type music, the tire roar is distracting. The owner of the Eagle tires on a Honda Civic complains of noisy tires too?
I checked out complaints for these Turanza tires and 2 out of 10 complain about the noise. Why 2 out of ten? Perhaps the person who doesn't complain listens to music so loud they can't hear the tires? Can anyone tell me why my tires are noisy? Bye. Francey
My 2006 Coupe was made in Alliston, Ontario too.
Worried,
Strumelia.
Twomotor
You might want to check the 8th Generation Civic Boards too. LOTS of Si owners there. Go to the forums and then section "Mechanical Issues" http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/
People love the car but similar problems unfortunately.
Been reading here and seeing auto transmission issues, same over there for manuals. Rattles seem to be universal. However, I have not read about this problem of peeling windshield or gaps/lifting of windshield over there.
BUT read something I haven't heard reported here. The oil leak. Two people apparently have been through it and Honda is aware and has developed a fix. Rear seal I think.
I can understand first year "bugs" but I have never heard of stuff like this on a new car.
I have a 2006 Civic Si
Twomotor
Also, took close notice of the noise level, which is noisy. It can't be just the tires because on a smooth road there is no particular annoying noise; however, on ordinary roads the noise level rises, so it's the roughness of the roads that the tires go over, which accelerates the noise. I've concluded that it's not JUST the tires, it's the tire noise going through the hollow fender wells magnifying it, then into the main body where it becomes annoying. Apparently, there is no noise deadener stuff within those areas.
I studied the fender underparts and you would have to take off the wheels to access the covering of the bottom of the fender, closest to the tire. Then you'd have to have the proper clip removers and such to remove those components. Then, if you could cover that area with sound deadener material, and fill up the hollow parts with foam deadener, we should get a quieter riding car for those of us who like to listen to our music on low. Any comments? Bye. Francey
I, too, have less than 600 miles on my car, just around 500 like temj12. Where does
this stiffness come from, if your's is stiff handling, and mine is light and wonderfully responsive, and other people have wandering and/or pulling steering. This has to be some sort of adjustment that those at the factory assembly plant is making incorrectly.
Surely the Honda Dealership can do some readjustment here to correct this issue.
It's certainly must be annoying at the least, and dangerous at the most concern.
Can you tell the Honda Dealership, where you got your Coupes, of the varying steering problems that you've read from this site, and see if their experts can come up with the proper adjustment?
Thanks for posting again. Sorry you are still having the problem. I feel for you as I see you have an Si and knowing you have a stick; steering must really be a pain as I know what you are talking about (don't feel like I can take both hands off the wheel for a second). Dan posted same thing. Loves the car but too much attention to steering.
I have the EX Auto Coupe and have had trouble since I got it home frankly.
I believe there is speed sensitive power assist steering in these and the Si's are all power and I am wondering if that is some of it when you get on the interstate and are going faster. Also may be "torque steer" (?)as that could be what you are getting upon acceleration.
My dealer is giving me excellent service and offered to align. I wanted to wait and make sure it is not me as it's so new and have read many other posts about repeated alignments not even helping. Also many people are pointing out this drift to the right with some saying it's natural in Hondas. I have been driving an Acura Integra for 11 years and was really surprised I had any problem right away. If my Acura drifts I don't notice it - never had an alignment.
I did find one thing "I" was doing wrong. It helped a lot when I figured it out. Probably won't help anyone but I will post anyway. Sounds really dumb though, but it helped: I am short 5'2" 100lbs and have never had height adjustable seats before. I took full advantage of that in New Civic as I was practically sitting on the ground in my Acura and even lower in my Mazda Miata before that. I felt great, could see great (worried about seeing over the dash and not seeing the hood, but I guess even tall people can't)
Well, that seat was ALL the up, I felt like I was in a minivan. When the car pulled to the right, it's like I would pull with it and sitting too high was making the feeling that much worse. I lowered the seats almost to the floor and I don't know if it's gravity or me always driving in low cars, but I felt a lot more in control of the car. Cut the pull to the right feeling back a lot. I do feel this car has trouble tracking a straight line for even short periods. I still think I am steering more than I have in any car I have owned, but at least what I did is helping me get used to it.
Some are even saying the dealers have not gotten alignment specs for these new Hondas and that may explain the continued problem. :confuse:
Good luck I hope you get things resolved...
Thanks for saying something, now we're talking the door pulls, not the handles you open the door with, which is another issue because they are supposed to be chrome.
Twomotor
IT SEEMS TO BE OK FOR A FEW HUNDRED MILES,AND THEN IT BECOME TO POINT OF A TREMBLE COMING UP THE STEERING COLUMN AND FINALLY TURNING INTO A FULL VIBRATION WITHIN 800-1000 MILES. WEIRD!ITS WORSE AT SPEED OF COARSE.. ALL 4 TIRES WERE OUT OF BALANCE FROM THE FACTORY AND A WEEK LATER WHEN REBALANCING THEM 2 WERE. WEIRD AGAIN! the third time all 4 were out again!!!I FEEL THE FACTORY BALANCING MACHINE WAS OUT OF CALIBRATION. THE TECHS REBALANCING THE TIRE LEFT THE ORIGINAL WEIGHTS ON THE WHEEL AS WELL/NOT WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE/THE NEXT VISIT I AM GOING TO REMOVE THE FACTORY WEIGHTS [LARGE ONES 28-31 GRAMS MYSELF AND HAVE THEM RE BALANCE from a bare wheel AS THEY SHOULD HAVE THE FIRST TIME.. NOT A VERY PLEASING EXPERIENCE FOR A NEW HONDA OWNER TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH!! ALSO WHEN WILL HONDA COMe UP WITH A FIX FOR THE 1500 RPM RATTLE?? IS IT A HEAT SHIELD,ATORQUE CONVERTOR OR WHAT THE HECK IS IT ANYBODY GOT A FIX SHORT ENFORCING A LEMON LAW AS I LIKE THE CAR OTHERWIS. H
Here's the update: The issue has been escalated with the dealer and I have a meeting with the district manager next week.
Forum friends what I need from you:
Does anyone know what I can expect from this type of meeting or have any prior experience on what tactics they may use? I feel like I'm going in a little blind here and want to be prepared.
From what I've read on some Lemon Law sites and my conversation with Honda Corporate they will try to offer me an extended warranty, offer to pick up a couple months payments or the dealer will try to do a trade out. My big concern is LOSING money if I go the trade out route. My ideal scenario is to get a full refund (this would be highly unusual I know). Or exchanging the car I have now for another identical one with no financial penalty (not as preferable).
The safety factor, the inconvenience factor and complete loss of confidence in the Honda product has left me with zero desire to continue driving a Honda ever again. I know they will try to convince me to keep the car, but at this point I want to push it off a cliff and go buy a Toyota.
Any comments welcomed.
Thanks.
-Imissmy95LX.
and ask if they can help. The last thing Honda wants is advertising these problems.
Give the reporter all the information, the names and telephone numbers to contact...especially the District Manager and the date of this meeting coming up and actually what YOU WANT TO HAPPEN.
Don't hesitate. Do it now, by e-mail first, and follow up with a telephone call to see if they got it. Bye. Francey
will update you when our situation is resolved. Still playing phone tag with dealer.
You said: "I've concluded that it's not JUST the tires, it's the tire noise going through the hollow fender wells magnifying it, then into the main body where it becomes annoying."
Yes, the tires are suprisingly loud. At least not on all roads, thankfully. If I could get the steering to be more stable (I have appt with dealer) I would be happy. I am the type who listens to loud music and you can still hear it. I think you are right about the hollow place making it worse. I haven't examined what you did but one of the first things I noticed is how tight the tire fits in the wheel well. I wondered how snow/ice would not get caught there during winter driving. If there is that much space behind that might help give snow a place to go at least, but sure can make for tire noise.
Just wanted to know if they hold on to the price that much were you guys got it from and if it took that long.
I am in Naples Florida and i am hoping that maybe in Miami i can get it at an actualy resonable price like they are supose to be.
Thanx
So far, this is value.
Jon
Give us your impressions then. Look forward to it.
Do rethink that. When was the last time you hired an attorney to represent you?
The last time I needed legal help, trusting, I hired one. I didn't quite understand the fee arrangement, until I got the first month's bill. The atty I hired at $250 AN HOUR, who assured me that the matter represented would be only a few hours time... he passed me off to HIS ASSOCIATE... (GREAT! you think. A lesser fee.) $150 an hour for the lesser fee, but everyday the associate had to confab with the 'big cheese' & the combined hourly rate turned into $400 an hour. When nothing had been done at the end of a month or so and the bill sent was $3500... I nearly expired from shock. And, I mean, NOTHING was done. BUT, I had the foresight to tape every phone call made. I had a copy of every e-mail sent and on top of that I took in shorthand EVERY communication
with either the 'big cheese' or his 'associate'. When PUSH came to SHOVE that shorthand document was worth $3000. You can't use the tape in court, but the tape was used to verify the correct shorthand notes. I offered him $500 for his Services, which he refused and sent me a Collection Notice. So, for $500 I hired another atty who sent him a letter, and the matter was settled within the week-- In my favor. Sure taught me a lesson about attorneys. NEVER, but NEVER fail to record EVERY word that is spoken or written when dealing with one of them. If you don't, you'll receive the short end of the stick every time. Just a word to the wise. Better to meet with Car Representatives, the higher in the echelon the better, and work it out. And, don't forget, that advertising through your local paper is a worthy threat to any seller who wishes to keep their 'good name'. Bye. Francey
1. Check Edmunds and get the exact MSRP and dealer cost on the car you want. Also, don't forget to get the exact holdback from Edmunds holdback site and any incentives provided by Honda.
2. Get internet bids from selected companies within your accepatble geographic range for the car you want.
3. And then finally, get a list of dealer's phone numbers for your area and call the sales manager at each and ask for the best deal he can give you on the exact car you want or perhaps one close to what you want that is in his enventory. From my experience about 1/3 of them will blow you off as a nut, about 1/3 will give you a lousy number just to get rid of you, but the last 1/3 will give you a great offer probably $250-500 over his cost including holdback. This will definitely result in a better price than the intenet price.
In any event, even with a high demand car like the '06 Civic Coupe, you should get a price of at least $1100 under MSRP and hopefully much more.
Good Luck!!
The car also has the Bridgestone Turanza EL400 tires which are quiet on a smooth blacktop road, but become extremely noisy on concrete highways, especially those where winter studded tires (allowed in Washington state during the winter months) have worn the concrte exposing the aggregate for a rough surface. These rough roads at freeway speeds of 70 - 75mph also cause the passenger door to vibrate at the top seal causing an irritating noise right about ear level. I think the door noise issue can probably be fixed by having the dealer adjust the door to compress the seal tighter next time I have the car in.
We also had an issue with the rear window where the sealant was missing for about 18" and caused a squeaking sonnd. The dealer removed the window and reasealed, which fixed the problem.
I was curious about that after reading of other people's problems with the loose and
'flying' rear window.
It would seem to me, that any area of no sealant, would allow water to penetrate into
the vehicle and either soak the seats or puddle in the trunk area. I'd appreciate your
comments, anyone who has had this particular problem. I am keeping a close-eye on
that rear window, to be sure. So far, my 2006 EX coupe has been absolutely perfect.
It's a dandy car, in handling and performance. I, myself, love the sensitive steering. At first, it was so different from my 300ZX, with it's different type of steering, that I was cautious, but now that I'm familiar with the sensitivity, I love it. It's so responsive.
Bye. Francey
Strumelia