NHTSA Complaint #10311209 — 2007 HONDA CIVIC

IT COULD BE SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY, AND I COULD BE DEAD, TOO. BUT HONDA DOESN'T GIVE ME A GOOD RESPONSE FOR THIS CASE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR 35 MONTHS AGO, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 68,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR SERVICED SINCE PURCHASE BY HONDA OF DECATUR AS RECOMMENDED BY THE OWNER'S MANUAL. I HAD THE CAR SERVICED THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY WITH A TYPE B SERVICE. THE DEALER PERSONNEL DIDN'T MENTION ANY MAINTENANCE ISSUES WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN AFTER THIS SERVICE. ON FEBRUARY 9, 2010 I NOTICE AN UNUSUAL SWEET SMELL AS I DROVE MY CAR TO THE AIRPORT. BECAUSE I WAS TRAVELING ON BUSINESS, I HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR AND PICK IT UP ON FEBRUARY 11TH. SHORTLY AFTER RETURNING ON FEBRUARY 11, 2010 THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE SHOWED THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING AND SOME SMOKE CAME OUT. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE HONDA DEALER IN HUNTSVILLE, AL WHICH WAS THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. AFTER THE CAR WAS EXAMINED I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER'S SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THERE IS A CRACK IN ENGINE BLOCK. AT THIS TIME THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY A CAUSE FOR THIS CRACK. AS I EXPLAINED ABOVE THE CAR WAS RECENTLY SERVICED AND THE ANTI-FREEZE SHOULD HAVE PREVENTED FREEZE DAMAGE. THE DEALER HAS ESTIMATED THE REPAIR WILL COST $3,500-$3,700 AND BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE THEY INDICATE THAT HONDA OF HUNTSVILLE WILL NOT ABLE TO SUBMIT A WARRANTY CLAIM ON MY BEHALF. *TR