NHTSA Complaint #10351884 — 2009 HONDA CIVIC

NEW VEHICLE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. 6-7-10 TOOK INTO SERVICE RE INTERMITTENT CREAKING WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL, ESPECIALLY WHEN BACKING UP. PROBLEM NOT IDENTIFIED. 6-23-10 PROBLEM CONTINUES, NOW CONSTANT WHEN GOING FORWARD AND BACKING UP WHEN TURNING WHEEL. LUBRICANT APPLIED TO STEERING COLUMN. 7-2-10 PROBLEM CONTINUES, SERVICE DEPARTMENT "HAD A CONFERENCE" WITH EXPERIENCED REPAIR EMPLOYEES. PROBLEM IDENTIFIED, PARTS ORDERED. 7-26-10 2 DAY REPAIR, "STEERING BOLTS NOT TORQUED CORRECTLY", RETORQUED 8-4-10 PROBLEM CONTINUES, CREAKING NOW LOUDER. LEFT CAR WITH THEM FOR 3 WEEKS WHILE ON VACATION. "BOTH FRONT DRIVESHAFTS BINDING", BOTH REPLACED. 8-24-10 RETURNED FROM VACATION, PROBLEM CONTINUES. THEY WANT ME TO TAKE CARE IN AGAIN FOR SIXTH ATTEMPT TO FIX. MAJOR CONCERN: DOES THIS NOISE INDICATE A SAFETY CONCERN? THEY REASSURE ME THAT IT ISN'T BUT ALSO STATE THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN 5 OTHER CARS, SAME YEAR, SAME MODEL, "SOME WE COULDN'T FIX" DECISION TIME: RETURN THE CAR FOR ANOTHER ATTEMPT OR FILE THROUGH LEMON LAW. *TR