2012 Honda Civic: Recall Alert

Suzanne Kane

1 9,218 views Jun 13, 2012

2012 Honda Civic sedan

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Honda is conducting a voluntary safety recall of certain 2012 Civic compact cars over concerns about potentially faulty driveshafts.

A notice on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) site lists the potential number of affected vehicles at 50,190. Documentation from Honda (PDF) indicates that approximately up to 8.4 percent of the vehicles in the recall may contain the condition.

The problem

The NHTSA bulletin says that during assembly of certain 2012 Civics, the process required to seat the driver’s side driveshaft and set the retaining clip was not completed. As a result, the driveshaft may separate.

If separation occurs, the engine will no longer be able to propel the vehicle in any gear and the vehicle may roll away if the parking gear has not been set when the gear selector was placed in Park position. This situation increases the risk of vehicle crash and injury.

In a statement, Honda said that it has not received any reports of crashes or injuries related to this issue.

What Honda will do

Honda will notify owners of affected 2012 Honda Civic coupes and sedans to take their vehicles to an authorized Honda dealer to have the driver’s side driveshaft inspected and replaced, if necessary, at no charge. The Honda safety recall campaign is expected to begin on or about June 21, 2012.

In the meantime, owners of 2012 Honda Civic coupes and sedans with any questions or concerns may contact Honda at 1-800-999-1009. Reference the Honda safety recall campaign No. S40. In late June, owners of these vehicles will be able to go online to www.recalls.honda.com to determine if their vehicles require repair.

Owners of vehicles involved in the campaign may also contact the NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to http://www.safercar.gov. Reference the NHTSA campaign ID No. 12V256000.