NHTSA Complaint #10490453 — 2005 HONDA CIVIC

TAG AND REAR RUNNING LIGHTS FAILED 11/28/2012. RICK CASE HONDA DEALER SAID THE ENTIRE REAR TAIL LIGHT HARNESS WAS BRITTLE DUE TO AGE AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $ 228 LABOR AND $186 FOR THE PARTS. IN MY MIND THIS MAIN HARNESS IS POORLY DESIGNED FOR THE LIFE TIME OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD HAVE CONNECTORS THAT ALLOW REPAIR FOR LESS COST TO CONSUMER SINCE TAIL LIGHTS ARE SAFETY ISSUE AND I OBSERVE A NUMBER OF HONDA CIVICS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH FAILED OR FAILING TAIL LIGHTS. I THINK THE WIRING HARNESS SHOULD BE HIGHER GRADE WIRE DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS OR HAVE CONNECTORS ADDED TO INSURE REPAIRS ARE EASY TO CONDUCT FOR THE DO IT YOURSELF REPAIRS OR IMPROVE THE DESIGN SO FAILURES DUE NOT OCCUR WITH AGE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR