NHTSA Complaint #10281222 — 2001 HONDA CIVIC

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION MY WIFE'S 2001 HONDA CIVIC'S ENGINE DIED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN, DROVE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND IT DIED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. SHE CALLED AAA TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE ONLY HONDA DEALER ON OUR ISLAND. WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK AND REPORT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY THE DEALER REPORTED IT HAD A CODE OF "P1362" AND NEED A NEW CYLINDER HEAD AT A COST OF $5300.00 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THE CAR ALWAYS RAN FINE AND WAS REGULARLY SERVICED BY A DEALER. MY QUESTION IS: "HOW CAN A CAR WITH 58K MILES, RUNNING FINE SUDDENLY NEED A NEW CYLINDER HEAD? I HAD THE DEALER REINSTALL THE CAM COVER (THEY CHARGED US $100.00) AND DROVE IT OUT (YES IT WAS RUNNING). I'M WORRIED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE AND/OR EVEN LOSS OF LIVES. IF IT NEEDS A NEW CYLINDER HEAD HOW CAN IT NOW BE RUNNING? I WOULDN'T IMAGINE A CYLINDER HEAD PROBLEM TO BE AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE. WHEN LIVING ON A SMALL ISLAND (KAUAI) YOU'RE AT THE MERCY OF THE ONLY DEALER IN TOWN. *TR