2006 Civic - Cracked Engine Block

Solegrim

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5+ Year Member
I have a 2006 civic and love it! (This is my 2nd civic in 15 yrs)... Inspite of my immaculate care I have discovered I have a cracked engine block at 86,000 miles. I have uncovered that there is an internal Bulletin (#08-044) within the Honda company stating that there is coolant leakage and overheating problem caused by a CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK in the 2006-2008 model engines, Hence... MANUFACTURERS DEFECT! I am 6000 miles passed my warranty and Honda is giving me the run around. I'm pursuing their replacement of my motor and want to give everyone else who is and will be effected the heads up as to not give up. Honda is a great company and needs to take care of there mistakes!
I have a similar story to shaleridge - I have a 2006 Civic EX with around the same miles (80K) and I have been told by a Honda car dealer in the San Fernando Valley that I have a cracked engine block. He quoted me a price of $6,500 to repair it!!!! He told me today that he called Honda to try and get "assistance" but they told him there would be absolutely no assistance in this case. They said 80K miles means the car was beyond warranty and they could not help! If I had this Honda for like 200K miles - then yes, I would expect something like this to happen.. NOT AT 80K MILES and not even 3 years OLD! I'm going to try to contact Honda factory directly & see what they have to say. I'll post a followup later.
 


tLX-S

New Member
5+ Year Member
This is the last thing Honda owner's would like to hear, is a premature engine block problem. Especially when we're so use to hearing how reliable and how strong Honda's are.

This scares me now since I'm planning to buy an 09 Civic LX-S. Do they use the same engine carried over from the 06-07 model? I think they do since there's no change in engine design for the 2009 Civics.
 

MiniMo

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5+ Year Member
My 2006 Civic EX was just given the cracked block diagnosis too. At 101k on the ODO, of course, Honda is not willing to take responsibilty for the defective short block. I sent off a complaint to the MA Attny General's office - made a fruitless, (although pleasant), call to American Honda requesting a recall/action/assistance and I'm still waiting to hear from the "Zone"as to how much, (read: little), Honda is willing to pay of the near $4,000 cost to swap the block.

I've posted a group on Facebook and hope to see just how many in number we actually are:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=91205162783&ref=mf

Its under the name 2006-2007 Honda Owners

My last Honda, '91 Civic Si, went 335k before I sold it and bought this one, (its living a happy Honda life in Tunerville), which is now my biggest regret - I should have put the $20k in the '91 Si!! (at least IT still has a resale value)
 


MiniMo

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5+ Year Member
My 2006 Civic EX was just given the cracked block diagnosis too. At 101k on the ODO, of course, Honda is not willing to take responsibilty for the defective short block. I sent off a complaint to the MA Attny General's office - made a fruitless, (although pleasant), call to American Honda requesting a recall/action/assistance and I'm still waiting to hear from the "Zone"as to how much, (read: little), Honda is willing to pay of the near $4,000 cost to swap the block.

I've posted a group on Facebook and hope to see just how many in number we actually are:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=91205162783&ref=mf

Its under the name 2006-2007 Honda Owners

My last Honda, '91 Civic Si, went 335k before I sold it and bought this one, (its living a happy Honda life in Tunerville), which is now my biggest regret - I should have put the $20k in the '91 Si!! (at least IT still has a resale value)
UPDATE: 05/08/09: My dealer fell (partially) on the sword and will swap the short block for $1,394 - they calc'd this at 61% of cost. We still need to follow up with our State Attny General's offices seeking restitution under applicable state Lemon Law.

FYI, there is one slightly used '06 Civic Ex for sale after 5/15/09 - as is condition!
 

tom zink

New Member
5+ Year Member
cracked block

I have a high mileage Civic EX (112k) that with a cracked block.
Sunday I smelled coolant and checked it out to find a puddle under the car.
The next day I took it to the dealer service department and they said it was an "O" ring in the coolant pipe, no mention of a cracked block, how could they miss that ? I drove off after 400 dollars departed my bank only to have the engine light come on immediately. I took it back to the dealer and they reexamined and found that the block was cracked.
Here is the history: 112k mostly highway miles in the last 2.5 years (11/05 purchased) all maintenance on time and at same dealer.

I hear rumors of a casting problem with these engine blocks anyone know anything. This could be big problem.
I work at a Honda dealer, we've seen several of these blocks come in, as far as I know, Honda is working with the owners of these cars by installing a new short-block, you really have to complain alot though yo get your way, but eventually they'll back down. The technical term they use is "Pourous Block".
 

MiniMo

New Member
5+ Year Member
UPDATE: 05/08/09: My dealer fell (partially) on the sword and will swap the short block for $1,394 - they calc'd this at 61% of cost. We still need to follow up with our State Attny General's offices seeking restitution under applicable state Lemon Law.

FYI, there is one slightly used '06 Civic Ex for sale after 5/15/09 - as is condition!

UPDATE V2.0 05/27/09

Balise Honda, Springfield MA are SO on my shiit list!

As above, they agreed to replace my short block for $1,394 with 1 free day's rental car. They scheduled the rebuild and said it should take 3 days. On the 3rd day, I was contacted and told their Tech never showed up for work, (sunny - warm Friday ~ you do the math), and the car would not be ready as previously stated. They gave me a new rental car at their expense.

On the following Monday I received a call and was informed I was going to need new valves.... Why???? Apparently the Tech didn't understand the concept of Cam Timing and tried starting the "new" motor without having set the cam timing, causing the brand new pistons to smash into my valves. Cute, eh?

They decided to send my head out to a machine shop, at their cost, and have it rebuilt. But only the bent valves were being replaced - they re-used the guides & springs.... not my choice... and my protests went unfounded as apparently my 15 years in the race engine building business means absolutely nothing to this Honda service writer.

As a side note: In the course of my business, we had metallergy issues with 4 cyl alloy blocks too - I've met with foundries, engineers & machinists to identify & resolve pourosity issues - I spent 10's of thousands $$$ on this very problem. Our HONDA engines NEED TO BE RECALLED ~ THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. DO NOT LET ANY DEALER LEAD YOU TO THINK OTHERWISE!!!!!!

The Service Writer really wanted me to believe all this work - short block included! - was the result of a "high mileage" engine... and the gross incompetance of their Tech in failing to set the cam timing was really an "innocent mistake"

So here it is 3 weeks after I first dropped off the car and I finally have the Albatross back. They assured me they ran the motor - under load - for 45 mins and it checked out okay. Well, 5 miles down the road I parked it to watch all the residual hand grease & grime, spilled fluids et al burn off the manifold... those bastids could not have run that engine as stated....

Oh, and the car was thickly coated with shop dirt/dust and greasy hand prints on the hood & door latch.... they couldn't even blow of the dust with an air hose - forget taking it through a car wash... they did run my wipers though... left a thick coating of mud around the wiper sweep area... the Service Writer thought he was being my friend when he gave me a coupon to take it to a local car wash.

The kiss of death for me and my now former brand loyalty was the price gouge on the extra parts I had them install while the motor was out & apart... did you know a set of Honda spark plugs & spark plug tube oil seals costs $210???

Tomorrow's agenda has me making follow up calls to Honda Corp, the MA Atty General's office, Better Business Bureau and I'll start the research for a local news outlet to see if I can find the "consumer/on your side" folks to do a piece on these bastids... I did a business entity search on the MA Secy of State's website and now have the home address' of the 3 main principals of the Balise Auto Group et al...

Soooo... I started my shopping with VW... the new TDI Jetta's have my eye.... I'm figuring a picture of me & my new VW mailed off to the Balise Bastids, (who btw, don't have a VW franchise), as well as Honda Cali might be worth the postage.

Bye-bye Honda!!
 

GETxERxDONE

New Member
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5+ Year Member
sorry to see you leave honda, and hear about your experience, thanks for keeping us posted. gl with everything.
 

Deniese

New Member
5+ Year Member
Crack Honda Club new member

I have a 2006 Honda with 47,500 miles and guess what a cracked engine block hairline in the center just like everybody else I have been reading. Before I took it to Power Honda I did not see any indication of it overheating and it was in the half way mark between Hot and Cold and my Dad did see a little puddle underneath my car two to three days before I noticed a little steam come out from under my hood. So now I am negotiating with American Honda and they said it would be $995.00 out of my pocket. I am finding out that there is a power-train warranty of 5 years, 60,000 miles wouldn't that be covering this Engine problem? Its funny that the Honda Service advisor did not mention this warranty or American Honda. Maybe, they are hoping I don't know anything and trying to get me to fork over some bucks so they can save some money on there end. I had a 2004 Honda and had engine problems but it was not a cracked head and it turn out to be a lemon and then I got this 2006 Honda in good faith to resolve the 2004 Civic problem. Now I am going thru this all over again. This is going to be the last Honda I ever going to own! I am going to Toyota brand next time after I get this Honda fixed and trade it in before the 60,000 is up.

I will keep you posted on the outcome..Stay tuned

Deniese
 

yoj

New Member
5+ Year Member
40,000 miles and replaced engine block!!!!!

I signed up so I could share my experience with you all. I have a 2006 ciciv with 40,000 miles on it. Same as all of you I smelled a sweet burning smell and saw a huge puddle under my car. My mechanic said he could see a crack in the engine block. He also added he had never heard of such a thing happening at 40,000 miles. I had it towed to the Honda dealership and they had to run their own diagnostic and such, sure enough cracked engine block as I was told. In the beginning when I told them what my mechanic had said it was, Honda thought it was strange. Then after it was fixed they admitted to having other 06's with low millage in for the same problem. I got everything paid for obviously because of the 60,000 mile warranty. But this is just scary that I could have reached 60,000 and because of a manufactures defect (yes, this is what they said it was) I would have been out of pocket. I bought this car after years of research and I am very disappointed. I just wonder if this will happen again after the warranty expires?
 

yoj

New Member
5+ Year Member
If engine block...

I need to ask the service department but I thought I would ask you all. Does Honda replace the 06 Engine blocks with a new 09 engine block? I just wonder what the likelihood of it cracking again is if it is replaced? :
 

Excelsius

New Member
5+ Year Member
And here is my addition of a cracked block on an 07 Civic Couple: http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=173728.

I am heading to the dealer as soon as they open. I am so lucky that the last people who worked on it were the specialists at the dealer - they changed my oil. I am going to start with that angle. This way I will have at least two entities to sue - Honda and the dealership. I also had an accident more than six months ago (minor - only body damage) and have to also try to see if I can make a claim with the insurance. Some people have also suggested to take the car to the dealership at night and trade it in

This is sickening. I don't know what path I am going to take right now, but ideally Honda should fix this. My car won't be even three years old until in a month. Anyway, I hope some of the options I listed above will help some of you figure out what you're going to do.

I truly believe that if any of us take Honda to small claims court, we should stick together and share mechanic reports about our cars. The judge doesn't know that there are so many engine problems. What are we supposed to do? Tell the judge to read this forum? I don't think that's going to work. He/she will need to see real paper evidence.

I wonder for how many of us this was our very first brand new car and we got shafted like this.
 

Excelsius

New Member
5+ Year Member
I need to ask the service department but I thought I would ask you all. Does Honda replace the 06 Engine blocks with a new 09 engine block? I just wonder what the likelihood of it cracking again is if it is replaced? :
I am interested in that as well. Does anyone know the answer? I will ask the dealership too. Were the engines fixed starting with the 09 Honda? I am also not sure how Honda can replace the engine block. All the mechanics I talked to said the entire engine will have to be replaced. Will the new mold fit this older engine? Too many unknowns.
 

Tom

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I am interested in that as well. Does anyone know the answer? I will ask the dealership too. Were the engines fixed starting with the 09 Honda? I am also not sure how Honda can replace the engine block. All the mechanics I talked to said the entire engine will have to be replaced. Will the new mold fit this older engine? Too many unknowns.
simple answer, NO, the block that would replace it is from the service bulletin, not just for 09 exact, honda doesn't date replace parts, like if it was made from 08, they don't scrape and then sell the 09, they just sell till depleted and then order more from the manufacturer, such as any business would, sometimes the part number gets changed, which would mean some sort of revision, we call that a supersession (supercede's).

All the mechanics you talked to are idiots, yes you can replace just the block, and yes it fits the older engine's, not sure what you mean , but i have a idea, it's a R18 block, same one honda has been using since the 2006 model year, just a revised block versus the one's that have been cracking.

There are no unkown's, you just have to do your research more thoroughly and don't ask shade tree mechanics if you can replace just the block, they obviously have no clue what the heck they're talking about.

Also look into your warranty, having an 07 coupe like you do it should be a 5 year/ 60k mile warranty, depending on your service history, your dealer might be able to get it covered under a one time goodwill, however if you have not been a regular member then not only they, but also honda may refuse to either partial pay for it, or fix it for free under goodwill.

It all depends on how much of a loyal customer you have been, but my first suggestion is drop the idea of suing the dealer, cause they had no hand in making the engine, thus they are not liable to financially pad your pockets, or responsible for replacing it at their expense, they had no hand in this issue other then being a new car sale's lot, and trying to meet your needs until you become overly aggressive at them.

FYI, i work and have been working for a dealer dealer on the east coast for 7 years doing parts, i'm very close with our regional parts and service manager, i don't think he or honda would appreciate hearing someone is going to work a angle to sue after a dealer did a oil change, when you already know that honda has acknowledge a problem and have handled this in a manner which they deemed fit under a service bulletin, it may be lame for me to pull this card, but your best bet is to remain calm and collective, and try to work things out with your dealer, however if they won't, the idea of taking it to another dealer for a night trade in sounds good.:thumbs up
 
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metalload

New Member
5+ Year Member
I'm really worried about this thread...:shock:
I have a 2006 Civic Coupe EX with 30K and no warranty, no problems so far but..............
Do any of you know the percentage of defects found so far? Do any of you have a car with high milleage without this kind of problems?
Also, is there any way to resolve the problem besides replacing the block?

Thanks:(
 

GETxERxDONE

New Member
Registered VIP
5+ Year Member
if you can weld aluminium you can fix it..could be just temp though.

maybe some mighty putty ( i kid)

i have 40k on my 06ex and havnt had the problem yet. and i beat on it.

but how do you have only 30k and no warranty? all of them come with 3/36k bumper to bumper 5/60k power train
 

Excelsius

New Member
5+ Year Member
simple answer, NO, the block that would replace it is from the service bulletin, not just for 09 exact, honda doesn't date replace parts, like if it was made from 08, they don't scrape and then sell the 09, they just sell till depleted and then order more from the manufacturer, such as any business would, sometimes the part number gets changed, which would mean some sort of revision, we call that a supersession (supercede's).

All the mechanics you talked to are idiots, yes you can replace just the block, and yes it fits the older engine's, not sure what you mean , but i have a idea, it's a R18 block, same one honda has been using since the 2006 model year, just a revised block versus the one's that have been cracking.

There are no unkown's, you just have to do your research more thoroughly and don't ask shade tree mechanics if you can replace just the block, they obviously have no clue what the heck they're talking about.

Also look into your warranty, having an 07 coupe like you do it should be a 5 year/ 60k mile warranty, depending on your service history, your dealer might be able to get it covered under a one time goodwill, however if you have not been a regular member then not only they, but also honda may refuse to either partial pay for it, or fix it for free under goodwill.

It all depends on how much of a loyal customer you have been, but my first suggestion is drop the idea of suing the dealer, cause they had no hand in making the engine, thus they are not liable to financially pad your pockets, or responsible for replacing it at their expense, they had no hand in this issue other then being a new car sale's lot, and trying to meet your needs until you become overly aggressive at them.

FYI, i work and have been working for a dealer dealer on the east coast for 7 years doing parts, i'm very close with our regional parts and service manager, i don't think he or honda would appreciate hearing someone is going to work a angle to sue after a dealer did a oil change, when you already know that honda has acknowledge a problem and have handled this in a manner which they deemed fit under a service bulletin, it may be lame for me to pull this card, but your best bet is to remain calm and collective, and try to work things out with your dealer, however if they won't, the idea of taking it to another dealer for a night trade in sounds good.:thumbs up
I do have the 60K power train warranty, but mine is at 65K. HOWEVER, the last time I was at the dealeship, it WAS under 60K. Maybe it might not sound so good, but believe me, if suing the dealer for not noting the problem will get me a free service, I will do it. I just don't have four grand lying around to pay for this. And why should I? This is a design flaw. By the way, the mechanics at the dealers do suck sometimes. Some months ago I took my car for an oil change and later when I was trying to change my brakes I noticed a thick layer of oil in the right wheel. Basically I had a punctured boot. The dealer did not even notify me! I took my car to a dealer to fix it, they refused because I had "attempted" to change my brakes. Then I drove my car to the same dealer that had changed my oil and blamed them problem on them and their negligence. They just shut up and changed the boot. Is this the sort of honesty that a DEALER should engage in? These guys are schmucks and should be treated as such when they treat the customer like s**t.

But in the end you are right. It is best to stay calm. And I have. Yesterday I took the car in and the guy was understanding. He has been trying to get me a free service. Someone from Honda was sent in to evaluate. My car has now been in the lot for two days. Today I got a call from the guy telling me that he is doing his best, but so far Honda is resisting coverage. I have had an accident and told him that it was not a front collision. He seems to think that it is not the accident, but the mileage that makes it tough to cover. He showed me a price tag of $3750 (at least for a BRAND NEW engine) if Honda does not cover all or part of it. So I don't know. Tomorrow I might find out. I have printed that service bulletin, but I haven't showed it to him yet. I will do it tomorrow. I also found out that it would help to show them past receipts from Honda services, so I am taking those there too. No one has worked on my car except Honda, even for the accident. However, I used to change my oil myself and still change all the filters and brakes. I also have proof that I use synthetic oil and better filter than Honda OEM....

Since you work at the dealer, I would appreciate if you could give me some advice as to how to approach this. I am right now on a break from school and if I don't resolve this soon and be able to concentrate on working before school starts, I am going to be royally screwed.

And here is another problem: trading in is not really going to work. Besides the issues brought up before, I just discovered that the only car totally immune to cracking is SI because the engine is built in Japan. I guess I could somehow shed those extra $$$ to get an Si, but damn it, it has a terrible MPG, in fact, 10MPG less than EX/LX. Add to that premium fuel and ultra expensive 17" tires and we have a huge waste of money at our hand. Not to mention that I can't share the car since no one I know can drive a stick...

I don't know, but I don't like where this is going. I wish those people who contacted their attorneys general could come back and give us an update as to what happened. If Honda doesn't cover my car, I will have to take them to small claims. Even if they tell me to pay only around $990, like many posters here, I will first pay to get my car fixed and then sue them for that amount, my car depreciation, and my wasted time. It is so outrageous that a f***kin Japanese company is coming here, selling their damn cars, and screwing the consumer without the smallest retribution. I guess we are all idiots and sheep. America is really going down. I don't know what we're good at anymore.
 

Excelsius

New Member
5+ Year Member
if you can weld aluminium you can fix it..could be just temp though.

maybe some mighty putty ( i kid)

i have 40k on my 06ex and havnt had the problem yet. and i beat on it.

but how do you have only 30k and no warranty? all of them come with 3/36k bumper to bumper 5/60k power train
If welding was an option, it would likely be exercised. I have heard in the past that once there is a crack, it can spread all around, whether you weld it or not. Driving around in a welded engine is probably a disaster waiting to happen. Maybe one day you'll drive 300 miles out of town and be stuck there. Facing $500 or more towing fee will be a nice reality check.

I see a disturbing trend in some of the posts. Some people who had their engine "fixed" have ended up with many more additional problems. So I don't know. Even after it is fixed, perhaps I should still trade it in. If any of you guys have had your engine worked on, please post here your experienced after that service. Also let us know whether they replaced only the block or put in a new (or used) engine.
 


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