News » Honda Civic Blog

As the time passes the faithful adepts of the Civic model are watching closely the news anticipating the new generation of the best-seller. In what ways will it change, in what ways will it be better? Will it continue to be a highly reliable and fuel efficient car equipped with a rather hot tempered power-train?

The new model of Honda Civic of the new generation which is scheduled to debut in a year or two will be more compact and will have an even more futuristic design than the previous model. This is the prognosis of the executive director of Honda Tzuneo Tanai as expressed in his interview to Automotive News.
civic 1
According to Tzuneo, the initial plan was that Civic was to be larger and more expensive than its predecessor, however after the thorough analysis of prognosis of prices for oil products, rolled metal products and other types of raw materials the decision was made to bring modifications to the project. Now the new model is aimed to become more compact, lighter and more fuel efficient. Besides that, the new Honda Civic platform will be initially adopted for the use of a hybrid power-train.

It is good to keep in mind that Civic platform is widely used by Honda Motor company and serves the basis for other models, such as crossovers CR-V and HR-V, a minivan Stream, and a compact FR-V. Presently Civic comes as hatchback, sedan and a coupe.

Honda’s new CEO Takanobu Ito states that the Japanese auto giant is “taking sufficient time to redesign the new Civic as well as all the other models”. Honda seeks way to make most of the research possibilities and seeks to comply with the possible changes in the environment. Honda is committed to reducing the size of its highly successful Civic model, but assures that the interior space and a sense of roominess will not decrease. A new futuristic Civic!? Why not!

It isn’t hard to believe that the 2010 Civic continues to rank #1 in the Affordable Small Cars Category. Honda continues to present a winning combination, which truly makes Civic a leader in its class, both for style and reliability. Its fuel efficiency pleases the frugal minded folk, but equally makes sense to all the people watching the gas prices closely.

The new 2010 model comes virtually unchanged, as the 2009 Civic was selected “Best Buy” by the Consumer Guide. So if the 2010 model is essentially the very same thing, one may consider buying a 2009 model and saving some dough. You can actually get a pretty good deal, as the dealers are eager to get the 2009 models of their lots.

Despite the outstanding reliability, and fuel economy the 2009 and 2010 Civics have received some harsh comments. The main dispute was its exterior, particularly the snub-nose and a rather odd minivan-like windshield. Some commented that the design was just uninteresting, “you could drive and not notice a half of dozen of Civics on your way to work.” Others criticized the dual-tiered instrument as overburdened and mesmerizing.

But can all of this really be a major drawback when we are talking about the unparalleled quality and solid reputation for quality? The engineering of Civic is as strong for the 2010 model as ever and they have always held their resale value well. The car has a truly dynamic performance combined with the fuel-sipping manners –setting a standard in the highly competitive compact cars class. In addition, Civic boasts excellent safety scores in both federal government and insurance industry, and comes equipped with anti-lock brakes and six airbags!

However, making your mind to buy a Civic is the easy part. What’s difficult is choosing the one that is right for you. The basic Civic is either a sedan or coupe and it comes in different trims such as DX, LX, LX-S, EX with the price range from roughly $15,500 to all the way up to $22,000. The Honda Civic SI boasts increased performance-oriented trim, with 57 extra horsepower, pushing the price up to extra $6,500. The other interesting options are Civic Hybrid with the prices of about $10,000 higher than for a base Civic, and the Civic GX which runs on compressed natural gas.

2006 Honda Civic

Image via Wikipedia

According to the BBC a flaw in the handbrake mechanism of the 2006-2007 Civic manufactured in Swindon, UK has caused the company to send notifications to all 63,000 owners to alert them of the problem. This is the second warning sent out from Honda regarding the faulty Handbrake problem on the Civic with the initial warning going out in the fourth quarter of 2007.

In a nutshell, the problem lies inside the handbrake assembly and a key ‘spring’ was mounted backwards. The problem manifests itself such that if the handbrake is applied while holding down the release button (no ratcheting) it has a high propensity to NOT engage properly. 29 complaints from owners prompted the notifications.

(image from paultan.org)

Despite the fact that Honda is offering all affected owners a replacement handbrake at no charge, they are still not calling this a recall. According to the company, it isn’t a recall because the problem will not occur if the handbrake is operated within the guidelines described in the users manual.

A Honda spokesman had this to say “As it stands, there is only a tiny chance of the handbrake failing if it is incorrectly applied. However, to give owners 100% peace of mind, we will be sending out letters recommending that they visit their local Honda dealer to get an improved handbrake fitted.”

Official Bulletin from Honda to dealers about the issue:

Introduction

In November 2007 bulletin HUK00000001050 was issued highlighting a potential concern with the handbrake fitted to 06/07YM Civic 3/5 door. We are now in a position to launch an official PUD to replace the handbrake lever on all affected Civics within the VIN range. A phased customer mailing will start the week commencing 7 April. An initial stock of handbrake levers will be automatically supplied to all sales dealers. Please note that there is still not 100% parts availability so when the initial stock has been used please only order new parts in quantities actually required. The first mailings will prioritise those Civics affected by both the drivers door latch and handbrake PUD’s. A copy of both customer letters are attached to this bulletin.

Not all Civic VINs will require this PUD, those Civics which have had the latest level handbrake lever already fitted (08YM part) will have been removed from the PUD database. Therefore please use Campaign for a VIN/PIN to verify that the vehicle is outstanding for this PUD.

Symptom

If the handbrake is applied with the release button intentionally or unintentionally pressed there is a small risk that the handbrake may not latch sufficiently to hold the vehicle securely on a gradient. If the handbrake is applied without touching the release button, the handbrake latching mechanism is unaffected.

Cause

Due to ratchet and pawl dimensions, the handbrake latching mechanism may partially engage depending upon customers’ operating method.

Countermeasure

The handbrake latching mechanism has been modified to eliminate any risk of partial engagement.

Application to Production Line

Countermeasure has been applied from the start of 2008YM production.

Market Treatment

Honda (UK) will write to the registered owners of all affected vehicles requesting them to take their vehicle to their local Honda dealer to have a new handbrake lever fitted.

Here is a copy of the actual notice sent to owners:

from: http://www.civinfo.com/forum/bugs-faults-irritations/9942-handbrake-self-release-inc-recall-letter-3.html#post124914

Thought they were all made in Japan or Asia? Well guess again, the honda factory in Swindon in the UK has manufactured more than 1 million Honda Civic’s since it opened on September 19, 1994. In it’s first year, the Swindon factory turned out just 6,652 Civics and by last year (2007) the factory was turning out more than 135,000 per year! (that is quite the growth curve!).

1 millionth honda civic made in UK, Swindon factory

The ‘one millionth’ Honda Civic to come of the line is a Red Type-R and according to Ken Keir, Managing Director of Honda (UK) and Senior Vice President of Honda Motor Europe, “Civic remains the cornerstone of our UK and European success. Customers love its innovative design and build quality, which not only retains a huge loyal customer base, but is key to us winning new sales across Europe.”

Honda Civic Blog

The next generation of Honda civic will be even more futuristic

The world’s leader in affordable small cars fills the bill with 2010 Honda Civic

UK Civic – Flaw in Handbrake

More than 1 Million Civics made in the UK

Pages

Archives

Categories

Recent Posts

Meta

Honda Civic Links